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University  of.Ca lifornia 


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MILITARY  GOVERNMENT 


PORTO  RICO 


OCTORKU  18,  is'.is,  TO  APRIL  :> 


APPENJ^ICKS 

CHE 

REPORT  OF  THE  MILITARY  GOVERNOR 


KPITOMK  <)K  KKJ'Oirrs  OK 

I.  TIIK  SUPKIMOK  HOAIM)  OF  HEALTH. 
II.  THE  HOAIM)  OF  CHARITIES. 


WASH 

KKNMKNT     I'KIN; 
1  9  0  1  . 


Compliments  of 

Major  Jolon  Van  R.  Hoff, 

Surgeon,  U.  S.  A 

War  Department, 
Surgeon  General's  Office, 
June  30,1901, 


PORTO  RICO 

ud2.  o-P 
(T 


O  i_ 


FROM 


OCTOBER  18,  1898,  TO  APRIL  30,  1900. 


TO  THE 

REPORT  OP  THE  MILITARY  GOVERNOR, 


EPITOME  OF  REPORTS  OF 

I.  THE  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH. 
IL  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES. 


WASHINGTON: 

OOVERNMENT    PRINTING   OFFICE. 
1901. 


MILITARY  GOVERNMENT 


OF 


PORTO  RICO 


FROM 


OCTOBER  18,  1898,  TO  APRIL  30,  1900 


TO  THE 

REPORT  OP  THE  MILITARY  GOVERNOR, 


EPITOME  OF  REPORTS  OF 

I.  THE  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH. 
IL  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE. 
1901. 


COISTTE^TS. 


SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH.  Page 

Organization 8 

Account  of  receipts  and  disbursements 9 

Extracts  from  minutes 12 

Reports  of  special  committees 35 

Regulations  promulgated 52 

Regulations  proposed 71 

Vital  statistics 82 

Climate 117 

Diseases 117 

Anaemia,  diarrheal  diseases,  acute  respiratory  diseases,  and  consumption, 
tetanus,  smallpox,  venereal  diseases,  malarial  diseases,  lepers,  and  blind. 

Vaccination 131 

Conclusions 133 

"Appendix  A. — Report  of  committee  of  examiners 135 

^Appendix  B. — Report  of  chemist 136 

^Appendix  C. — Report  on  cemeteries 138 

Appendix  D. — Report  on  hurricane 139 

'•   Appendix  E. — Report  of  committee  on  public  water  supply,  etc 141 

^Appendix  F. — Report  of  committee  on  interior  quarantine,,  etc 143 

^Appendix  G. — History  of  sanitation  in  Porto  Rico 144 

Appendix  H. — History  of  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery 149 

**•  Appendix    I. — History  of  subdelegation  of  pharmacy 154 

D  Appendix  J. — Report  of  San  Juan  board  of  health 159 

•""  Appendix  K. — Report  of  Ponce  board  of  health  and  special  report 163 

•  '  Appendix  L. — Inspection  report  of  Arecibo 169 

<L  •  * 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES. 
*-J 

PART  1. — RELIEF  WORK. 

Statement  of  accounts 179 

Report  of  officer  detailed  to  audit  accounts  of  relief  work .  _ 196 

General  review  of  economic  conditions 199 

The  hurricane 204 

Outline  of  the  administration... 206 

Distribution  of  supplies;  report  of  officer  in  charge  of  general  supply  depot.  239 

Vital  statistics '„._..  245 

Planters  relief  with  statistics 246 

Hospitals  in  their  relation  to  relief 271 

The  P.  R.  central  relief  committee  and  the  contributions  to  work  of  relief..  279 

The  Womans' Aid  Society  of  Porto  Rico 289 

List  of  contributors  to  contribution  fund 291 

Conclusions 295 

Appendix  A:  Preliminary  report  of  relief  work 298 

Appendix  B:  Report  of  progress 312 

PART  2.— INSTITUTIONS. 

Charity  school  and  insane  asylum 320 

Leper  hospital ....... 338 

Report  of  chairman  of  committee  of  beneficencia 343 

Conclusions 351 

3 


LETTER   OE   SUBMITTAL. 


HEADQUARTEKS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

CHIEF  SURGEON'S  OFFICE, 
San  Juan,  P.  R.,  June  30,  1900. 

SIR:  In  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  General  Orders  from 
these  headquarters,  the  reports  of  the  superior  board  of  health  and  the 
board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico,  covering  the  period  from  their  organi- 
zation to  the  inauguration  of  the  civil  government,  are  herewith  re- 
spectfully submitted. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major,  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  Chief  'Surgeon,  Department  of 'Porto  Rico. 

/Some  time  President  of  the  Superior  Board  of  Health 

and  Board  of  Charities. 

The  ADJUTANT- GENERAL, 

Department  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 


REPORT  OF  THE  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF 

PORTO  RICO. 


HEADQUARTEKS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

CHIEF  SURGEON'S  OFFICE, 

San  Juan,  June  30,  1900. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  covering  the 
general  sanitary  condition  of  Porto  Rico,  the  work  of  the  officers  and 
agents  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  a  detailed  statement  of  all 
moneys  received  and  disbursed  by  the  board  during  the  period  from 
June  29,  1899,  the  day  on  which  the  board  was  constituted,  until  May 
1,  1900,  when  the  military  government  of  Porto  Rico  ceased  to  exist: 

From  the  day  our  forces  occupied  Porto  Rico  until  June  30,  1899, 
public  sanitation  was  conducted  under  emergency  conditions.  There 
was  not,  nor  could  there  well  have  been,  a  maturely  considered  scheme 
of  sanitary  regulations.  Everything  was  in  a  formative  state  so  far  as 
the  relations  between  ourselves  and  these  people  were  concerned,  for 
we  knew  as  little  of  their  requirements  as  they  knew  of  how  we  would 
meet  them.  So  sanitation  here  resolved  itself  down  to  its  simplest 
form,  "policing,"  where  this  board  found  it. 

By  reference  to  the  file  of  General  Orders,  Headquarters  Depart- 
ment of  Porto  Rico,  from  October  18,  1898,  to  June  29,  1899,  it  will 
be  found  that  but  three  orders  were  issued  which  in  any  way  related 
to  public  health.  Paragraph  1,  General  Orders  18,  series  1898,  abol- 
ished the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy;  General  Orders  37,  series  1898, 
established  boards  of  health  in  San  Juan  and  the  various  other  towns 
of  the  island,  and  General  Orders  28,  series  1899,  defined  the  licensing 
functions  of  the  subdelegation  of  medicine. 

These  are  exclusive  of  various  orders  and  circulars  relating  to  the 
general  vaccination  executed  under  direction  of  the  writer  as  chief 
surgeon  of  the  department. 

An  examination  of  the  codified  sanitary  laws  of  Porto  Rico  under 
the  Spanish  dominion  will  determine  the  fact  that  those  pertaining  to 
exterior  quarantine  were  sufficiently  comprehensive,  thorough,  and 
modern.  They  were  not,  however,  vigorously  executed  and  imported 
diseases  frequently  gained  foothold  here. 

Guia  Oficial  General  de  Puerto  Rico,  1897,  gives  the  membership  of 
the  Junta  Provincial  de  Sanidad  as  follows:  The  governor-general, 
secretary  of  the  treasury,  senior  naval  officer,  vice-president  of  the 
provincial  commission,  alcalde  of  San  Juan,  inspector-general  of  public 
works,  secretary  to  the  governor-general,  president  of  the  subdelega- 
tion of  medicine,  president  of  the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy,  director 
of  the  quarantine,  city  engineer  of  San  Juan,  and  three  physicians, 

7 


8    REPORT  OF  SUPEEIOE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

one  pharmacist,  one  lawyer,  one  delegate  to  the  Spanish  Cortes,  the 
chief  medical  officer  of  the  army,  and  a  veterinarian.  This  board  had 
a  secretary  and  a  comision  permanente  or  executive  committee. 

I  have  been  unable  to  learn  anything  of  the  accomplishments  and 
records  of  this  board,  but  its  distinguished  membership  indicates  the 
importance  attached  to  this  department  of  governmental  responsibility. 
In  this  connection  attention  is  invited  to  the  very  interesting  resume 
of  sanitary  work  under  the  Spanish  Government,  compiled  by  my 
former  colleague,  and  successor  as  president  of  the  board,  a  widely 
known  Porto  Rican  physican,  Dr.  Ricardo  Hernandez. 

It  may  be  said  that  up  to  June  30,  1899,  much  preliminary  sanitary 
work  had  been  done  and  one  stupendous  undertaking  accomplished. 
I  refer  to  the  vaccination  of  the  entire  population,  which  will  be  made 
the  subject  of  a  special  report. 

The  experience  gained  during  the  execution  of  the  general  vaccina- 
tion, with  which  was  combined  a  sanitary  inspection  of  the  various 
municipal  districts,  indicated  that  the  time  was  at  hand  when  a  sys- 
tematic sanitary  organization  with  a  well-considered  sanitary  code  was 
necessary,  whereupon  the  following  communication  was  addressed: 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

CHIEF  SURGEON'S  OFFICE, 

San  Juan,  June  7,  1899. 

SIR:  To  place  and  maintain  this  island- on  a  satisfactory  sanitary  basis,  I  have  the 
honor  to  recommend  that  a  superior  board  of  health  be  organized,  to  consist  of  the 
senior  officers  of  the  Medical  Departments  of  the  Army,  Navy,  and  Marine-Hospital 
Service  who  may  be  serving  here,  of  two  Porto  Rican  physicians  of  acknowledged 
reputation,  a  civil  engineer,  and  a  secretary.  That  all  the  members  of  the  board  shall 
serve  without  compensation,  except  the  secretary,  who  shall  have  a  salary  of  $3,000 
per  annum,  provided  that  the  civilian  members  of  the  board  shall  be  allowed  $8  per 
day  and  7  cents  per  mile  traveling  expenses,  when  in  the  performance  of  sanitary 
duties  required  of  them  by  the  board  or  other  proper  authority. 

The  duties  of  the  board  shall  consist  in  organizing  local  boards  and  formulating 
sanitary  laws  to  be  promulgated  by  proper  authority,  to  see  that  the  laws  are  obeyed, 
and  that  everything  possible  is  done  to  promote  the  healthfulness  of  the  island. 
Subjects  for  regulation  and  control  by  the  proposed  superior  board  of  health: 
Public  water  supplies,  markets,  bakeries,  groceries  and  all  food  supplies,  milk  depots, 
public  institutions,  schools,  asylums,  jails,  hospitals,  barracks,  court  rooms,  theaters, 
etc.,  tenement  houses,  vital  statistics,  marriages,  births,  deaths,  registration  of  physi- 
cians, dentists,  pharmacists,  midwives,  and  undertakers,  plumbing,  sewering,  street 
cleaning,  privies,  water-closets,  cesspools,  etc.,  nuisances,  slaughterhouses,  stables, 
yards,  contagious  and  infectious  diseases,  trades  and  factories,  undertaking  and  ceme- 
teries, disinfection,  granting  of  licenses  and  permits,  vaccination,  communicable  dis- 
eases of  domestic  animals,  quarantine. 

If  this  suggestion  is  approved  I  would  respectfully  recommend  that  the  services 
of  Maj.  George  G.  Groff,  surgeon,  U.  S.  V.,  who  is  about  to  be  mustered  out,  be 
secured  as  secretary  of  the  superior  board  of  health.  Major  Groff,  who  was  some  time 
president  of  the  State  Board  of  Health  of  Pennsylvania,  is  a  learned  sanitarian  and 
would  be  invaluable  in  the  organizing  and  starting  of  the  proposed  work.  . 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major,  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  Chief  Surgeon. 
The  ADJUTANT-GENERAL, 

Department  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

In  accordance  with  these  recommendations,  the  following  order  was 
issued: 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  91.  ]  San  Juan,  June  29,  1899. 

I.  A  superior  board  of  health  is  hereby  constituted  for  Porto  Rico,  the  authority 
of  which  will  extend  throughout  this  depa  rtment,  and  to  which  all  local  boards  of 
health  will  regularly  report. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.    9 

The  board  will  for  the  present  be  composed  of  six  members,  as  follows:  Maj.  John 
Van  R.  Hoff,  surgeon,  United  States  Army,  chief  surgeon  of  the  department;  Surg. 
Arthur  H.  Glennan,  United  States  Marine-Hospital  Service;  Surg.  F.  W.  E.  Wieber, 
United  States  Navy;  Dr.  George  G.  Groff,  Dr.  Gabriel  Ferrer,  and  Dr.  Ricardo 
Hernandez. 

The  chief  surgeon  of  the  department  will  act  as  president  of  the  board  and  Dr. 
George  G.  Groff  is  appointed  secretary  and  treasurer. 

The  office  of  the  board  will  be  at  these  headquarters,  where  its  meetings  will  ordi- 
narily be  held,  at  such  times  as  may  be  appointed.  Four  members  will  constitute  a 
quorum. 

The  board  will  meet  as  soon  as  practicable  to  prepare  regulations  covering  the 
scope  of  its  work,  which  will  be  submitted  to  the  department  commander. 

II.  On  and  after  July  1,  1899,  the  management  and  control  of  the  insane  asylum  at 
San  Juan,  now  under  charge  of  the  bureau  of  education,  will  be  transferred  to  the 
superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico,  and  the  public  funds  allotted  for  the  support 
of  the  asylum  will  be  disbursed  and  accounted  for  by  the  treasurer  of  the  board 
under  its  direction. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL, 
Adjutant-  General. 

In  addition  to  the  institutional  responsibilit}r  vested  in  this  board  by 
the  foregoing  order,  Special  Orders,  No.  142,  series  1899,  transferred 
to  its  care  the  leper  hospital,  as  follows: 

3.  On  and  after  July  1,  1899,  the  management  and  control  of  the  leper  hospital  at 
San  Juan  will  be  transferred  to  the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico,  and  the 
public  funds  allotted  for  the  support  of  this  hospital  will  be  disbursed  and  accounted 
for  by  the  treasurer  of  the  board  under  its  direction. 

All  of  these  institutions  were  transferred  to  the  board  of  charities, 
Porto  Rico,  upon  its  organization  in  August,  and  this  board  continued 
its  legitimate  work. 

RECEIPTS  AND  DISBURSEMENTS. 

Accounts  of  the  receipts  and  disbursements  of  the  superior  board  of  health  from  the  date  of 
its  inauguration  to  April  30,  1900. 

LICENSE  ACCOUNT. 

Received  for  the  issue  of  licenses,  in  compliance  with  General  Orders, 

No.  153,  series  of  1899. 
1899. 

Nov.  — .  For  issue  of  68  licenses,  at  $5 $340.  00 

Dec.  — .  For  issue  of  124  licenses,  at  $5 620.  00 

Dec.  — .  For  issue  of  11  licenses,  at  §25 275.  00 

1900. 

Jan.  — .  For  issue  of  90  licenses,  at  $1 90.  00 

Jan.  — .  For  issue  of  169  licenses,  at  $5 845. 00 

Feb.  15.  For  issue  of  49  licenses,  at  $5 245.  00 

For  correction  of  licenses 4.  50 


2,  419.  50 

DISBURSEMENTS. 
1899. 

Nov.  — .  Supplies $1.  70 

Dec.  — .  Supplies 335.  58 

Dec.  — .  Services 200.83 

1900. 

Jan.  — .  Supplies 500.  60 

Jan.  — .  Services , 129.  90 

Feb.  — .  Supplies 30.  31 

Feb.  — .  Services 125.  50 

Feb.  — .  Supplies 393. 52 

Services 99.10 


10   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

1900 

Mar.—.  Supplies $161.10 

Services - 64«  °7 

Apr.  — .  Supplies 113.  36 

Services 6-  ™ 

2, 162.  47 

Feb.  28.  Refund  to  the  treasurer  of  Porto  Rico $46. 41 

Mar.  31.  Refund  to  the  treasurer  of  Porto  Rico 95 

Apr.  30.  Refund  to  the  treasurer  of  Porto  Rico 6.  56 

53.92 

Refund  to  individuals  for  overpayments 40.  00 

$2,  202.  47 

Balance  on  deposit  with  treasurer 217.  03 

RECAPITULATION. 

Received  for  licenses  from  November  1,  1899,  to  April  30,  1900 $2, 419.  50 

Disbursements  .. - 2,202.47 


Balance  of  license  account  on  deposit  with  treasurer 217.  03 

EXAMINER'S  ACCOUNT. 

1900. 
Feb.    15.  Fees  received  for  examinations  and  deposited  with  treasurer  of 

Porto  Rico $465.00 

Feb.    24.  Miscellaneous  warrant,  treasury  draft  No.  682 .     465.  00 

DISBURSEMENTS, 

Feb.    24.  Dr.  Ricardo  Hernandez,  recorder: 

6  examinations  of  physicians,  at  $25 $150,  00 

3  examinations  of  physicians,  at  $8. 33 ..,,*.  25,  00 

5  examinations  of  pharmacists,  at  $12.50 *  *  *  62. 50 

2  examinations  of  dentists,  at  $12.50 , V. .,  25, 00 

4  examinations  of  practicantes,  at  $15 60. 00 

1  examination  of  midwife .,«,«.•..•*..        5.  00 

327.  50 
Dr.  R.  M.  Ponte,  examiner: 

2  examinations  of  dentists,  *at  $12.50 ^ , . . .  ^ . .      25.  00 

Dr.  P.  J.  Sallicrup,  examiner: 

3  examinations  of  physicians,  at  $8.33 25.  00 

Dr.  Guillermo  Curbelo,  examiner: 

3  examinations  of  physicians,  at  $8.33 25.  00 

Mr.  Domingo  Peraza,  examiner: 

5  examinations  of  pharmacists,  at  $12.50 62.  50 

465.  00 

OFFICE  AND  LABORATORY. 

1899. 

July    31.  Warrant  37,  treasury  draft  52 $330.  50 

Aug.    23.  Warrant  83,  treasury  draft  44 445.00 

Sept.   27.  Warrant  151,  treasury  draft  257 473.  94 

Oct.     28.  Warrant  188,  treasury  draft  318 366.  67 

Nov.    29.  Warrant  242,  treasury  draft  421 512.87 

Dec.    30.  Warrant  330,  treasury  draft  531 266.  67 

1900. 

Jan.     30.  Warrant  377,  treasury  draft  628 531.50 

Feb.    26.  Warrant  417,  treasury  draft  689 272.  75 

Mar.     3.  Warrant  441,  treasury  draft  689 95.83 

Mar.   30.  Warrant  481,  treasury  draft  792 551.60 

Apr.    28.  Warrant  535,  treasury  draft  885 1, 194.  63 

5, 041.  96 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        11 

DISBURSEMENTS. 
1899. 

July  31.  Supplies $42.51 

Services 268.  98 

Aug.  30.  Supplies _• 66.01 

Services 367.27 

Sept.  30.  Supplies 71.18 

Services 402.  76 

Oct.  30.  Supplies 33.  99 

Services 295.17 

Nov.  30.  Supplies 131.29 

Services 308.  67 

Dec.  31.  Supplies 8.55 

Services 256.67 

Jan.  31.  Supplies 275. 55 

Services 266.  67 

Feb.  28.  Supplies 39.  33 

Supplies 31.  40 

Services 274. 93 

Services 101.83 

Mar.  31.  Supplies 5.64 

Services 194.  83 

Services 338. 10 

Apr.  30.  Supplies 617.  00 

Supplies 255.  89 

Services 150. 00 

Services . .  172.  50 


4, 976.  72 

Feb.    28.  Refund  to  treasurer 52.  97 

Apr.   30.  Kefund  to  treasurer 12.  27 


65.24 
$5,  041. 99 


VACCINE  STATION. 

1899. 

Aug.  23.  Warrant  82,  treasury  draft  143 $132.00 

Sept.  30.  Warrant  151,  treasury  draft  257 291.  06 

Oct.    22.  Warrant  158,  treasury  draft 286.  77 

Nov.  26.  Warrant  242,  treasury  draft  421 277.22 

Dec.  30.  Warrant  330,  treasury  draft  531 247.57 

Jan.    26.  Warrant  377,  treasury  draft  628 206. 04 

Feb.  26.  Warrant  417,  treasury  draft  689 197.07 

Mar.  28.  Warrant  481,  treasury  draft  792 117.96 

Apr.  28.  Warrant  535,  treasury  draft  885 112.14 


1,  867.  83 

Aug.  31.  Refund  to  the  treasurer $17.08 

Mar.  31.  Refund  to  the  treasurer 3.86 

Apr.   30.  Refund  to  the  treasurer 6.  92 

Mar.  12.  Refund  to  the  treasurer..  1.19 


29.05 

DISBURSEMENTS. 

Aug.  31.  Supplies $34.52 

Services 80. 40 

Sept.  30.  Supplies 53.57 

Services 100.  78 

Oct.  30.  Supplies 177.62 

Services 114.  97 

Nov.  30.  Supplies 74.07 

Services 223.  75 

Dec.  30.  Supplies 204.22 

Services  . .  90. 07 


12   REPOKT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

1900. 

Jan.   31.  Supplies $129.61 

Services 118.  66 

Feb.  28.  Supplies 86.  33 

Services : 130.69 

Mar.  31.  Supplies 35.  88 

Services 78.  22 

Apr.  30.  Supplies 27.  00 

Services 78.22 

$1,  838.  78 

$1,  867.  83 

RECAPITULATION. 

Offices  of  board  and  laboratory: 

Supplies $1,578.34 

Services 3,  398.  38 

4, 976.  72 
Vaccine  station: 

Supplies $823. 02 

Services 1, 015.  76 

1,  833.  78 


Total  disbursements 6, 815. 50 

EXTRACTS  FROM  MINUTES. 

[From  the  minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  superior  board  qf  health,  Porto  Rico,  from  the  date  of  the 
organization,  July  3,  1899,  to  the  inauguration  of  the  civil  government,  May  1, 1900.] 

The  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico,  organized  in  accord- 
ance with  General  Orders,  No.  91,  series  1899,  held  its  first  meeting  at 
the  offices  of  the  board,  No.  5  Fortaleza,  San  Juan,  at  3  p.  m.,  July  3, 
1899.  All  members  named  in  the  order  being  present,  the  meeting 
was  called  to  order  by  the  president,  Maj.  John  Van  K.  Hoff,  surgeon, 
U.  S.  A.,  chief  surgeon  Department  of  Porto  Rico. 

An  outline  of  the  duties  proposed  for  the  board  was  submitted  by 
the  president,  discussed,  approved,  and  directed  to  be  forwarded  to 
the  military  governor  with  the  recommendation  that  the  same  be  pub- 
lished in  general  orders.  It  may  be  well  to  add  that  the  recommenda- 
tion was  accepted  as  follows: 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  102.  /  San  Juan,  July  18,  1899. 

For  the  information  of  all  concerned,  the  following  orders  are  published  relative 
to  the  duties  of  the  superior  board  of  health  constituted  for  the  island  of  Porto  Rico 
by  General  Orders,  No.  91,  current  series,  these  headquarters: 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  superior  board  of  health — 

I.  To  have  general  supervision  of  all  the  interests  of  the  public  health  of  the 
island,  and  to  especially  study  its  vital  statistics. 

II.  To  make  sanitary  investigations  and  inquiries  respecting  the  causes  of  disease, 
and  especially  of  epidemic  diseases,  including  those  of  domestic  animals,  the  sources 
of  mortality,  and  the  effects  of   localities,  employments,  condition,  habits,  food, 
beverages,  and  medicine  on  the  health  of  the  people. 

III.  To  disseminate  information  upon  these  and  similar  subjects  among  the  people. 

IV.  To  institute  sanitary  inspections  of  all  public  institutions  or  places  throughout 
the  island. 

V.  To  consider  and  report  to  the  governor  upon  the  plans  and  specifications  for 
all  new  water  supplies,  drainage,  sewerage  plants,  and  public  institutions  of  all  kinds 
or  for  alterations  in  such  public  works  or  institutions.     Copies  of  such  plans  and 
specifications  will  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  board. 

VI.  To  suggest  amendments  to  the  sanitary  laws  of  the  island  and  to  have  power 
to  enforce  such  regulations  as  will  tend  to  limit  the  progress  of  epidemic  diseases. 

VII.  To  have  power  and  authority  to  order  nuisances  or  the  causes  of  any  special 
diseases  or  mortality  to  be  abated  and  removed,  and  to  enforce  such  interior  quaran- 
tine regulations  as  said  board  shall  direct  in  cities,  municipalities,  districts,  or  places 


REPOET  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        13 

where  there  are  no  local  boards  of  health,  or  in  case  the  sanitary  laws  or  regulations 
should  be  inoperative  in  places  where  boards  of  health  or  health  officers  exist.  Any 
person  who  shall  fail  to  obey,  or  shall  violate  such  order,  shall  upon  conviction  be 
sentenced  to  pay  a  fine  of  not  more  than  $100  or  be  imprisoned  for  not  more  than 
sixty  days  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

VIII.  To  have  general  supervision  of  the  insular  system  of  registration  of  births, 
marriages,  and  deaths,  and  of  prevalent  diseases,  and  to  insure  the  faithful  recording 
of  the  same;  also  to  prepare  the  necessary  methods,  forms,  and  blanks  for  obtaining 
and  preserving  such  statistics. 

IX.  To  prepare  regulations  governing  the  admittance  of  persons  to  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  surgery,  pharmacy,  dentistry,  midwifery,  embalming,  and  undertaking, 
and  to  enforce  such  regulations  as  are  adopted  by  the  government  of  the  island. 

X.  To  inquire  into  and  report  upon  violations  of  laws  governing  the  purity  and 
wholesomeness  of  foods,  drinks,  drugs,  and  medicines.     To  submit,  through  the  gov- 
ernor of  the  island,  regulations  to  control  offensive  and  dangerous  occupations  and  to 
report  upon  and  make  recommendations  regarding  any  special  sources  of  danger  to 
life  or  person. 

XI.  To  require  all  health  officers  and  health  boards  throughout  the  island  to 
forward  to  the  superior  board  copies  of  all  their  reports  and  publications  and  such 
other  sanitary  information  as  it  may  request.     To  require  reports  and  information 
concerning  such  matters  or  particulars  in  respect  to  which  it  may,  in  its  opinion,  need 
information  for  the  proper  discharge  of  its  duties,  from  all  public  dispensaries,  hos- 
pitals, asylums,  infirmaries,  prisons,  penitentiaries,  schools,  and  from  the  managers, 
principals,  and  officers  thereof,  and  from  all  other  public  institutions,  their  officers 
and  managers,  and  from  the  proprietors,  managers,  lessees,  and  occupants  of  all  places 
of  public  resort  throughout  the  island. 

XII.  To  from  time  to  time  engage  suitable  persons  to  render  sanitary  service  or  to 
make  or  supervise  practical  and  scientific  investigations  and  examinations  requiring 
expert  skill,  and  to  prepare  plans  and  reports  relating  thereto.     This  regulation  must 
not  be  considered  as  authorizing  any  expenditure  beyond  the  sum  specifically  allotted 
to  the  board  for  such  purposes  in  the  annual  budget.     When  the  cost  of  such  investi- 
gations exceeds  the  allotment,  special  authority  for  the  expenditure  must  be  obtained 
from  the  governor  of  the  island. 

XIII.  To  make  a  written  report  to  the  governor  on  or  before  June  30  of  each  year, 
covering  the  general  sanitary  conditions  of  Porto  Rico,  the  work  of  the  officers  and 
agents  of  the  board,  and  a  detailed  statement  by  the  treasurer  of  all  moneys  received 
and  disbursed  during  the  year.     To  submit  special  reports  from  time  to  time  as  the 
occasion  may  demand. 

XIV.  To  especially  supervise  subjects  directly  relating  to  public  health,  as  follows: 

1.  Public  water  supplies. 

2.  Markets,  bakeries,  groceries,  and  milk  depots. 

3.  The  purity  and  wholesomeness  of  all  foods,  drinks,  liquors,  drugs,  and  medicines. 

4.  Public  institutions,  schools,  asylums,  jails,  hospitals,  dispensaries,  barracks,  court 
rooms,  theaters,  etc. 

5.  Tenement  houses. 

6.  Vital  statistics,  marriages,  births,  deaths. 

7.  Licensing  and  registration  of  physicians  and  surgeons,  dentists,  pharmacists, 
midwives,  undertakers,  etc. 

8.  Plumbing  and  registration  of  plumbers. 

9.  Sewering. 

10.  Street  cleaning. 

11.  Privies,  water-closets,  cesspools,  etc. 

12.  Nuisances. 

13.  Slaughterhouses,  stables,  yards. 

14.  Contagious  and  infectious  diseases. 

15.  Trades,  factories,  and  industries  offensive  or  injurious  to  the  public  health. 

16.  Undertaking  and  cemeteries. 

17.  Disinfection. 

18.  Licenses  and  permits. 

19.  Vaccination  and  the  production  of  vaccine  virus. 

20.  Diseases  of  domestic  animals  communicable  to  man. 

21.  Interior  quarantine. 

22.  Poisons,  explosives,  and  special  sources  of  danger  to  life  and  person. 
23..  Sanitary  supervision  of  travel  and  traffic. 

XV.  To  institute  prosecutions  for  violations  of  the  provisions  of  this  order  in  the 
nearest  local  court,  or  in  the  United  States  provisional  court,  as  the  governor  may 
direct. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis. 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General 


14       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  lunatic  asylum,  which  heretofore  had  been  under  the  charge  of 
the  board  of  education,  having  been  transferred  to  the  board,  the  presi- 
dent called  for  the  reading  of  a  report  on  a  sanitary  inspection  of  the 
building  made  by  Maj.  G.  G.  Groff,  surgeon,  U.  S.  V.  ,by  direction  of 
the  chief  surgeon.  (See  p.  35.) 

After  discussion  of  the  report  and  due  deliberation,  upon  motion,  a 
committee,  consisting  of  Surgeon  Wieber,  U.  S.  N. ,  and  Drs.  Ferrer 
and  Hernandez,  was  appointed  by  the  chair  to  further  investigate  and 
report  upon  the  present  condition  and  requirements  of  the  insane 
asylum,  the  report  to  be  submitted  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  board. 

On  motion,  the  following  temporary  committees  were  appointed: 

1.  Executive — to  have  charge  of  rules,  regulations,  and  finance:  The  president. 

2.  Committee  on  public  water  supplies,  drainage,  sewerage,  public  institutions,  and 
school  hygiene:  Surg.  F.  W.  F.  Wieber,  U.  S.  N. 

3.  ^Registration  and  vital  statistics,  trades  and  occupations  prejudicial  to  the  public 
health,  licenses  and  permits,  all  nuisances  and  offensive  industries,  tenement  houses,, 
street  cleaning,  vaccine  station,  and  vaccination:  The  secretary. 

4.  Inspection  of  foods  and  drinks,  drugs,  poisons,  explosives,  and  other  special 
sources  of  danger  to  life  and  limb:  Dr.  Gabriel  Ferrer. 

5.  Regulation  of  the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery,  pharmacy,  dentistry,  mid- 
wifery, embalming  and  undertaking,  cemeteries:  Dr.  Ricardo  Hernandez. 

6.  Preventable  and  communicable  diseases  of  domestic  animals  communicable  to 
man  (interior  quarantine) :  Surg.  A.  H.  Glennan,  U.  S.  M.  H.  S. 

The  president  and  secretary  were  directed  to  prepare  rules  and  regu- 
lations to  perfect  the  organization  of  the  board  and  prescribing  the 
duties  of  the  officers  and  standing  committees. 

The  board  then,  at  6  p.  m.,  adjourned  to  meet  at  8  p.  m.  July  6, 1899. 

JULY  6,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  board  was  called  to  order  in  the  board  room  at  8< 
o'clock  this  evening,  all  members  being  present.  The  minutes  of  the 
last  meeting  were  read  and  approved,  and  the  board  proceeded  to  the 
consideration  and  discussion  of  the  proposed  by-laws,  which  were  read 
by  the  president.  Each  paragraph  was  considered  separately,  and, 
after  suggestion,  alteration,  and  due  deliberation,  all  were  adopted  as- 
set forth  herein.  (See  p.  36.) 

Surg.  F.  W.  F.  Wieber,  U.  S.  N. ,  chairman  of  a  committee  to  inves- 
tigate the  condition  and  needs  of  the  lunatic  asylum^  presented  a 
report.  (See  p.  37.) 

After  a  full  discussion  of  this  report,  entered  into  by  every  member 
of  the  board,  Surgeon  Glennan  introduced  the  following  motion, 
which  was  seconded  by  Surgeon  Wieber  and  adopted. 

That  the  present  committee  on  the  insane  asylum  be  continued,  temporarily,  to- 
ascertain  the  feasibility  of  obtaining  a  building  in  Santurce;  also  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  continuing  the  maintenance  and  medical  treatment  of  the  inmates,  and 
to  submit  a  report  thereon  to  the  board  at  a  special  meeting  to  be  called  by  the 
president. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  July  10,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  was  held  in  the  office  of 
the  board  at  8  p.  m. ,  to  hear  report  of  the  special  committee  on  insane 
asylum. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  president  of  the  board.  The 
other  members  present  were  Surg.  F.  W.  F.  Wieber,  U.  S.  N.,  Dr» 
Ricardo  Hernandez,  Dr.  Gabriel  Ferrer,  and  Dr.  George  G.  Groff. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  adopted. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        15 

The  special  committee  on  the  insane  asylum  made  report  that  the 
building  of  "Escuela  Pia"  could  be  obtained. 

The  report  was  accepted  and  the  committee  was  continued  to  enable 
it  to  complete  the  report  in  the  following  particulars: 

1.  To  ascertain  the  cost  of  repairs  on  the  institute  building  in  San- 
turce. 

2.  Cost  of  repairs  to  the  building  at  present  occupied. 

3.  Cost  of  the  new  building,  to  be  erected  at  a  suitable  place  in  the 
country. 

Dr.  Wieber  made  the  following  motion,  which  was  seconded  by  Dr. 
Groff: 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  one  be  appointed  to  make  a  report  on  the  leper  hos- 
pital, its  present  condition,  and  what  improvements  are  necessary  to  make  it  an 
ideal  hospital. 

Motion  was  adopted. 

The  chair  appointed  Surgeon  Glennan  as  this  committee. 

The  president  introduced  the  subject  of  continuing  the  work  of  vac- 
cination not  yet  completed.  He  called  attention  to  the  necessity  for  a 
vaccine  farm  or  institute  near  San  Juan,  where  virus  could  be  pro- 
duced during  the  year. 

Dr.  Wieber  moved,  and  Dr.  Hernandez  seconded  the  motion,  that 
the  president  of  the  board,  together  with  the  secretary,  be  appointed 
a  committee  on  vaccination,  with  authority  to  seek  a  proper  locality 
for  a  farm,  and  to  carry  on  the  work  of  vaccination  wherever  this 
should  be  necessary. 

Motion  adopted. 

The  secretary  was  also  authorized  to  continue  the  preparation  of  a 
list  of  health  officers  for  the  different  municipalities  of  the  island. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  July  18,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  was  held  at  the  office  of 
the  board  this  evening.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  presi- 
dent. The  members  present  were  the  president,  Drs.  Glennan,  Wieber, 
Hernandez,  and  Groff.  The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read 
and  adopted. 

The  secretary  submitted  a  draft  of  proposed  general  sanitary  regu- 
lations, which  were  read  and  discussed  paragraph  by  paragraph.1 

By  direction  of  the  president  of  the  board  the  following  communi- 
cation was  sent  to  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  of  Porto 
Rico: 

SIR:  You  are  hereby  authorized  to  conduct  examinations  of  practicantes  and  mid- 
wives  under  the  rules  and  regulations  which  existed  before  the  American  occupation 
until  further  notice.  The  results  of  such  examinations  you  will  report  to  the  supe- 
rior board  of  health  for  its  approval. 

Very  respectfully,  GEORGE  G.  GROFF, 

Secretary  and  Treasurer  Superior  Board  of  Health. 
Dr.  FRANCISCO  R.  DE  GOENAGA,  . 

President  of  the  Subdelegation  of  Medicine,  Porto  Rico. 

On  July  17  the  secretary  received  a  communication  from  Dr.  Goenaga, 
accompanied  by  a  diploma  or  license,  indicating  that  the  subdelegation 
of  medicine  and  surgery  had  examined  and  licensed  Luis  Rodriguez 
Miranda,  of  the  city  of  Utuado. 

xThey  remained  under  the  consideration  of  the  board  for  several  meetings,  until 
finally  adopted  and  submitted  to  the  military  governor  for  approval  and  publication. 


16   EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  governor  in  reference  to  a 
report  from  Dr.  Delvalle  submitting  plans  and  estimates  for  a  bacte- 
riological institute,  which  was  referred  to  a  committee  consisting  of 
Drs.  Glennan,  Ferrer,  and  Hernandez  for  report.  (See  p.  42.) 

Complaints  were  received  as  follows: 

1.  Of  an  open  sewer  near  San  Francisco  Barracks. 

2.  Unsanitary  conditions   in  Cayey,  by  Dr.   H.   A.    Eberle,   post 
surgeon. 

3.  Of  a  stable  erected  near  a  dwelling  in  Aguas  Buenas. 

4.  Of  a  public  vaccinator  for  charging  for  vaccination  in  Camu}'. 
It  was  suggested  that  the  secretaiy  be  authorized  to  employ  one 

person  as  accountant  and  clerk,  and  one  as  stenographer  and  clerk, 
and  that  the  salaries  of  these  persons  be  fixed  by  the  board. 

The  secretary  was  directed  to  make  a  requisition  on  the  auditor  of 
the  island  for  $221.60,  Porto  Rican  currency,  the  estimated  expenses 
of  the  leper  hospital  for  the  month  of  July. 

The  action  of  the  president  and  secretary  in  reference  to  the  exam- 
ination of  practicantes  and  niidwives  by  the  subdelegation  of  medicine 
was  approved  by  the  board. 

Surg.  A.  H.  Glennan,  M.  H.  S.,  submitted  an  interesting  and 
valuable  report  on  the  present  condition  of  the  leper  as}dum,  etc. 
(see  p.  39),  which  was  read,  discussed,  and  accepted. 

Surg.  F.  W.  F.  Wieber,  U.  S.  N.,  chairman  of  a  committee  on  the 
insane  asylum,  submitted  a  report  on  the  necessary  alterations  in 
connection  with  the  present  asylum  and  the  plan  of  changing  its  loca- 
tion to  the  "Escuela  Pia,"  Santurce,  with  the  estimate  of  cost,  etc. 
(see  p.  40),  which  was  duly  considered  and  accepted. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  July  19,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  was  held  this  evening  in 
its  office  at  8  o'clock. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  president. 

All  the  members  of  the  board  were  present.  The  minutes  of  the 
last  meeting  were  adopted  as  recorded. 

In  view  of  the  present  insufficient  accommodation  in  the  Manicomia, 
the  president  laid  before  the  board  the  question  of  the  propriety  of 
asking  the  governor  to  temporarily  set  aside  a  portion  of  the  cit}T  jail 
for  the  overflow  from  the  insane  asylum  until  other  provisions  for  these 
people  could  be  made. 

A  motion  was  made  by  Surgeon  Wieber,  seconded  by  Surgeon 
Glennan,  that  the  president  request  a  portion  of  the  city  jail  for  the 
purpose  named.  It  was  carried. 

After  discussion  a  motion  was  adopted  authorizing  the  chair  to 
appoint  Drs.  Wieber  and  Hernandez  a  permanent  committee  on  the 
insane  asylum,  and  Drs.  Glennan  and  Ferrer  a  permanent  committee 
on  the  leper  asylum. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  July  W,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  was  called  to  order  this 
afternoon  at  4.30  o'clock  on  board  the  launch  Borimjiicn.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  board  were  present  except  Dr.  G.  Ferrer. 

The  order  of  business  was  the  consideration  of  the  proposed  rules 
and  regulations  of  the  board  and  a  visit  to  Punta  Salinas  to  inspect 
same  with  a  view  of  ascertaining1  its  desirability  as  a  location  for  the 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        17 

leper  asylum.  Owing  to  the  roughness  of  the  water  and  the  pilot 
being  unable  to  discover  any  landing  place,  the  inspection  of  the  point 
was  not  accomplished. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  July  21-22,  1899. 

Meetings  of  the  board  were  held  at  8  p.  m.  All  the  members  were 
present.  Special  order  of  the  meetings  was  the  consideration  of  the 
rules  and  regulations,  all  of  which  were,  after  mature  deliberation, 
adopted  and  ordered  to  be  submitted  for  the  approval  of  the  military 
governor. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  3,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  was  held  at  8  o'clock 
this  evening  in  the  office  of  the  board,  the  president  in  the  chair.  All 
the  members  of  the  board  present. 

The  following  report  of  the  secretary  was  read: 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  2,  1899. 

SIR:  A  report  has  been  received  from  the  attending  physician  of  the  leper  asylum, 
which  shows  14  patients  during  the  month  in  that  institution.  This  report  makes 
no  mention  of  any  incidental  sickness  or  of  sanitary  condition  of  that  institution. 
It  is  suggested  that  the  physician  in  future  be  asked  to  report  monthly  on  these 
matters  and  also  upon  the  efficiency  of  the  employees  of  the  institution. 

Two  weekly  reports  have  been  received  from  the  attending  physician  of  the  insane 
asylum.  The  latest  of  these  reports,  for  the  week  beginning  July  23,  shows  126 
patients  in  the  institution.  During  the  week  1  patient  was  discharged  and  1  died. 
This  report  does  not  refer  to  incidental  sickness  of  patients,  to  the  sanitary  condition 
of  the  institution,  to  efficiency  of  employees,  or  to  amount  or  quality  of  food  received. 
It  is  suggested: 

First.  That  the  attending  physican  at  the  insane  asylum  make  to  the  executive 
committee  a  weekly  report  covering  the  sanitary  condition  of  that  institution,  with 
recommendations,  and  also  report  on  quality  and  quantity  of  food  supply.  • 

Second.  That  he  make  a  monthly  report  on  the  efficiency  of  the  personnel  of  the 
institution,  with  recommendations. 

Third.  That  in  cases  requiring  immediate  action  special  reports  be  made  as  occa- 
sion may  demand. 

Two  very  pressing  applications  for  admission  to  the  insane  asylum  are  at  the  pres- 
ent time  on  file  in  this  office  from  the  city  of  San  Juan,  a 'man  confined  in  the 
jail,  who  by  his  noise  prevents  the  prisoners  from  sleeping,  and  a  woman  in  the 
Puerta  Tierra  suffering  from  acute  mania,  in  the  care  of  her  family,  who  find  it 
almost  impossible  to  control  her.  It  is  urged  that  every  exertion  be  made  to  increase 
the  accommodations  of  the  asylum  in  order  to  provide  for  these  and  equally  urgent 
cases. 

It  is  known  that  many  of  the  public  institutions  on  the  island  are  in  a  bad  sanitary 
condition.  This  is  especially  true  of  the  jails.  These  institutions  have  for  hundreds 
of  years  been  recognized  as  pest  spots,  in  every  community  where  they  have  existed. 
Those  in  Porto  Rico  are  not  an  exception  to  the  rule. 

These  institutions,  it  is  understood,  have  now  passed  under  control  of  the  prison 
board.  Being  public  institutions  they  should  be  so  conducted  as  to  afford  an  exam- 
ple in  modern  sanitation.  It  is  urged  that  the  present  commission  be  requested  to 
overhaul  each  and  every  one  of  the  jails  in  Porto  Rico,  whitewashing,  scouring,  and 
disinfecting  them,  so  that  they  will  not  longer  be  a  menace  to  the  whole  population. . 
It  is  urged  that  in  case  there  is  a  public  water  supply,  it  be  introduced  into  the 
prison  and  modern  water-closets  be  supplied.  It  is  recommended  that  this  work  be 
begun  at  once  in  the  city  prison. 

It  has  been  understood  that  the  work  of  completing  the  vaccination  of  the  people 
of  Porto  Rico  will  be  taken  up  by  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  the  president 
and  secretary  have  been  authorized  to  look  for  a  suitable  location  for  a  vaccine  sta- 
tion. The  buildings  of  the  old  institute  Agronomica,  near  Martin  Pena  Station,  have 
been  examined  and  are  found  quite  suitable,  but  the  agent  of  the  party  owning  the 
land  asks  a  rental  for  the  same  which  amounts  to  about  10  per  cent  interest  on  the 
value  of  the  same  and  will  give  no  satisfactory  assurance  that  he  will  furnish  cattle. 
The  farm  of  Mr.  Paul  Van  -Sickel,  near  Bayamon,  has  also  been  examined.  This 
farm  is  an  old  sugar  plantation.  The  buildings  are  all  falling  into  decay.  Every- 
where there  is  a  sickly  odor  of  wood  indicating  dry  rot,  mingled  with  that  of  the 

19709—01- — 2 


18   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

urine  of  300  cows  and  150  calves.  There  are  now  no  buildings  on  these  premises 
suitable  for  use  in  vaccination.  Mr.  Van  Sickel  promises  to  furnish  such  animals  of 
suitable  age  to  the  extent  of  his  capacity,  about  135  head.  He  has  not  to  this  time 
stated  definitely  what  rent  he  wishes  for  his  buildings  and  the  land  necessary. 

There  is  one  other  alternative,  Mr.  Santiago  Seijo  of  Arecibo,  who  has  been  pro- 
ducing virus  for  the  last  twenty  years.  He  understands  thoroughly  how  to  produce 
it,  and  has  the  confidence  of  his  neighbors,  so  that  he  assures  me  that  there  is  no 
trouble  at  all  about  his  getting  the  cattle  needed.  Mr.  Seijo  has  presented  an  esti- 
mate, in  which  he  offers  to  produce  1,000  points  each  day  at  the  cost  to  the  board  of 
15  pesos  per  day.  The  board  will  need  but  500  points  per  day  and  this  estimate  can 
be  reduced.  Action  should  be  taken  upon  this  matter  so  that  the  production  of  virus 
may  begin  at  once. 

There  are  upon  the  island  several  thousand  un vaccinated  people.  Some  plan  must 
be  devised  by  which  these  people  shall  be  made  immune  to  smallpox.  Your  secre- 
tary at  first  thought  that  the  best  plan  would  be  to  have  each  municipal  physician 
do  the  work,  paying  him  a  small  sum,  say  10  centavos,  for  each  vaccination.  But 
later  he  has  thought  that  it  would  be  best  to  send  into  those  districts  not  reached  by 
the  vaccinators  in  the  progress  of  the  work  heretofore  men  who  have  been  found 
honest  and  capable,  and  who  can  be  obtained  for  a  reasonable  compensation.  Thus 
in  the  Arecibo  division,  the  mountainous  portions  of  Utuado,  Ciales,  and  Morovis 
have  not  yet  been  thoroughly  vaccinated.  In  that  division  reside  two  practicantes 
of  energy  and  honesty.  They  can  probably  be  secured  at  a  monthly  salary  of  $40, 
or  possibly  $50.  It  is  recommended  that  those  portions  of  the  island  not  yet  vacci- 
nated be  covered  in  this  way,  and  that  the  money  to  pay  the  men  doing  the  work  be 
secured  by  an  appropriation  of  the  funds  returned  to  the  insular  treasury  when  the 
work  of  vaccination  closed  June  30. 

For  vaccinating  new-born  babes  and  the  scattered  cases  which  exist  in  every  com- 
munity no  better  plan  is  suggested  than  that  it  be  done  by  the  municipal  physicians, 
who  must  be  paid  by  the  municipalities.  This  board  furnishes  free  virus.  The 
organization  of  local  boards  of  health  should  receive  early  attention.  It  has  been 
thought  by  your  secretary  that  these  boards  should  at  present  be  organized  only  in 
the  larger  cities  of  Porto^Eico,  while  for  the  smaller  places,  certainly  for  this  year, 
better  work  will  be  secured  by  appointing  health  officers  or  sanitary  inspectors  who 
shall  be  responsible  to  this  board.  In  the  smaller  towns,  even  in  the  most  advanced 
of  our  States,  it  has  been  heretofore  found  almost  impossible  to  secure  five  or  six 
men  who  have  any  real  interest  in  sanitary  affairs.  The  result  is  that  although  local 
boards  are  appointed,  good  work  can  not  be  obtained  from  them.  But  when  the 
superior  board  of  health  has  its  own  representative  in  each  municipality,  what  it 
desires  done  can  be  accomplished.  This  health  officer  or  sanitary  inspector  should 
be  a  physician  or  intelligent  practicante,  the  best  man  who  can  be  found  in  each 
municipality,  and  the  experience  gained  in  the  work  of  vaccination  will  be  of  some 
aid  in  securing  the  right  men  for  these  positions.  It  is  quite  certain  that  the  office, 
while  largely  honorary,  will  be  highly  valued.  Indeed  your  secretary  has  received 
already  several  letters  asking  for  these  appointments.  An  inspector  may  be  paid  a 
yearly  salary  or  can  be  paid  a  per  diem  for  each  inspection  made  and  report  ren- 
dered. It  is  suggested  that  at  first  a  trial  be  made  of  paying  for  the  work  done  from 
7  to  8  pesos  a  day.  A  monthly  report  should  be  asked  of  each  inspector  as  to  the 
sanitary  condition  of  his  district.  A  small  amount  of  stationery  with  the  heading  of 
the  superior  board  of  health  should  be  sent  to  each  inspector.  Certificates  of  appoint- 
ment should  be  made  at  an  early  date. 

At  present  the  municipal  judge  of  each  municipality  sends  a  report,  more  or  less 
full,  of  the  vital  statistics  of  his  district  for  each  month.  The  alcalde  also  sends  a  let- 
ter each  month  stating  the  general  condition  of  health  in  his  district.  It  is  thought 
that  these  avenues  of  communication  should  be  maintained  for  the  present,  but  in  the 
case  of  deaths  much  fuller  records  are  desirable.  Your  secretary  has  a  form  of 
report  which  he  asks  to  have  printed  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  all  municipal  judges 
and  all  physicians  on  the  island,  asking  that  returns  be  made  upon  these  blanks.  In 
this  way  the  persons  who  make  these  reports  will  gradually  become  accustomed  to 
present  them  in  a  better  form. 

The  alcalde  of  Quebradillas  reports  that  there  are  four  cases  of  typhoid  fever  in  his 
municipality  and  that  he  has  taken  the  necessary  precautions  to  prevent  the  spread 
of  same.  It  has  <'onu>  to  the  knowledge  of  your  secretary  in  several  indirect  ways 
that  there  is  a  large  amount  of  dysentery  in  the  municipality  of  Utuado.  While  the 
work  of  vaccination  was  yet  in  progress*a  letter  was  received  stating  that  there  had 
been  1,200  deaths  from  this  cause  in  that  municipality. 

The  control  of  sanitation  in  the  tenement  houses  of  the  larger  cities  of  Porto  Rico 
must  soon  receive  attention  from  this  board.  The  secretary  presents  a  scheme  for 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        19 

issuing  a  permit  to  both  owner  and  tenant  each  time  there  is  a  change  of  residence 
by  an  occupant  of  a  tenement  house. 

"A  complaint  by  citizens  of  San  Juan,  in  reference  to  annoyance  at  bathing  grounds 
at  Santurce,  from  waste  of  city,  is  presented  through  Dr.  M.  E.  Hughes,  president  of 
San  Juan  board  of  health. 

Bids  have  been  asked  from  four  of  the  leading  printers  of  San  Juan  for  printing  the 
regulations  of  the  board.  They  all  wish  to  see  the  translation  before  taking  action, 
and  so  far  but  one  satisfactory  bid  has  been  received. 

The  proposed  rules  and  regulations  of  the  board  have  been  returned  from  the  com- 
manding general  with  the  following  indorsement: 

"  Respectfully  returned  to  the  president  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  San  Juan, 
P.  R. :  The  translation  of  the  rules  and  regulations  now  in  force  upon  this  island 
upon  the  subjects  covered  by  these  .proposed  regulations  is  desired  in  connection 
with  them,  in  order  to  ascertain  what  changes  the  adoption  of  these  regulations 
would  bring  about." 

"By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis." 

Your  secretary  has  made  diligent  inquiry  to  discover  what  sanitary  regulations 
are  recognized  as  in  force  at  the  present  time,  and  the  best  information  that  he  can 
secure  is  that  the  sanitary  laws  of  the  island  have  never  been  codified  and  published. 
It  would  seem  that  each  governor-general  issued  such  regulations  as  appeared  to 
him  best  and  the  exigencies  of  the  case  demanded.  About  four  years  ago  the  then 
governor-general,  J.  Gamir,  appointed  a  commission  of  Spanish  and  Porto  Rican 
physicians  to  codify  existing  sanitary  regulations.  This  commission  performed  its 
duties,  but  before  the  publication  of  the  proposed  regulations  the  governor-general 
died  of  yellow  fever  and  the  matter  was  suspended.  An  effort  has  been  made  to  dis- 
cover these  manuscript  regulations,  but  so  far  without  success.  It  is  possible  that 
they  have,  with  other  papers,  been  shipped  to  the  United  States. 

The  various  topics  of  the  report  were  discussed  and  the  necessary 
action  taken. 

The  committee  on  the  leper  asylum  was  authorized  to  prepare  and 
have  printed  forms  and  blanks  for  weekly  and  monthly  sanitary 
reports. 

The  committee  on  the  insane  asylum  was  authorized  to  prepare 
blank  forms  for  weekly  and  monthly  sanitary  reports. 

The  special  committee  on  finding  a  place  for  the  vaccine  farm  was 
authorized  to  continue  its  investigation. 

The  suggestion  that  the  work  of  vaccination  be  carried  out  in  those 
districts  not  reached  by  the  vaccinators  previous  to  June  30,  and  that 
the  governor  be  asked  to  appropriate  such  unused  moneys  as  were 
turned  into  the  treasury  from  the  former  vaccination  fund,  was 
adopted. 

The  secretary  was  directed  to  prepare  a  list  of  all  the  municipalities 
in  which  at  present  there  exist  boards  of  health,  or  health  officers,  - 
and  also  the  municipalities  where  sanitary  inspectors  should  be 
appointed. 

The  secretary  was  directed  to  address  a  communication  to  the 
alcalde  of  Utuadb,  inclosing  a  notice  of  an  excessive  amount  of  sick- 
ness in  his  district,  taken  from  La  Correspondencia,  and  to  request 
him  to  make  a  report  upon  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  municipality. 

Complaints  as  to  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  garbage  dump  main- 
tained by  the  city  of  San  Juan  at  Puerta  de  Tierra  were  received 
from  Dr.  M.  E.  Hughes,  health  officer,  San  Juan,  and  also  from  the 
alcalde  of  the  same  city.  The  board  ordered  that  a  committee  be 
appointed  to  investigate  and  report  on  the  complaints.  The  president 
appointed  on  this  committee  Drs.  Glenrian  and  Hernandez. 

It  was  agreed  at  this  meeting  that  the  services  of  the  barber  at  the 
leper  asylum  should  be  discontinued.  It  was  agreed  that  all  payment 
of  salaries  by  this  board  be  in  United  States  currency,  without  any 
increase  in  the  present  rates  of  payment. 


20       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

At  this  meeting  a  monthly  schedule  of  wages  to  be  paid  at  the  insane 
asylum,  amounting  to  $485,  was  adopted,  as  follows: 

Attending  physician $100 

Practical!  te 50 

One  chief  attendant 35 

One  assistant  to  chief  attendant 30 

Seven  Sisters  of  Charity,  at  $15 105 

Three  first-class  assistants,  at  $25 75 

Three  second-class  assistants,  at  $20 60 

Three  servants,  at  $10 30 

An  estimate  of  the  expenses  for  the  insane  asylum  for  July  was 
adopted,  amounting  to  $1,072.63.  The  secretary  was  authorized  to 
secure  proposals  for  printing  the  regulations  of  the  board.  The  presi- 
dent of  the  board  was  requested  to  secure  authority  from  the  governor- 
general  to  employ  Mr.  F.  H.  Janes,  architect,  to  draw  plans  and  make 
estimates  for  repairs  at  the  insane  asylum,  and  to  supervise  the  work. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  10,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  was  held  this  evening  at 
8  o'clock  in  the  office  of  the  board. 

The  president  in  the  chair.  The  members  were  all  present.  The 
minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

The  president  announced  the  organization  this  day  of  a  board  of 
public  charities  for  the  island  of  Porto  Rico,  stating  that  this  board 
would  relieve  the  superior  board  of  health  of  the  care  of  the  insane 
asylum  and  the  leper  hospital  (the  latter  destroyed  by  the  hurricane), 
which  would  enable  the  latter  to  devote  its  attention  more  fully  to  its 
proper  functions. 

The  report  of  the  special  committee  on  the  leper  asylum  was  read 
and  fully  discussed  by  the  board. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  10,  1899. 

GENTLEMEN:  In  obedience  to  the  instructions  of  the  executive  committee  of  this 
board  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Pedro  del  Valle,  assistant 
quarantine  officer,  I  visited  Miraflores  this  morning  with  a  view  of  ascertaining  its 
fitness  for  a  quarantine  detention  station  and  the  cession  of  Cabras  Island  for  the 
housing  of  the  leper  colony. 

Miraflores  is  sufficiently  isolated,  is  located  much  nearer  to  the  vessels  when 
anchored  at  the  quarantine  grounds,  and  the  transfer  of  passengers,  especially  women 
and  children,  can  be  made  in  all  kinds  of  weather. 

The  steam  disinfecting  chamber,  the  only  heavy  articles  to  be  removed,  can  be 
readily  lightered  and  housed  at  the  base  of  the  old  powder  wharf,  in  a  more  useful 
location.  A  frame  structure  is  necessary  for  this  purpose,  and  for  use  also  as  a  bag- 
gage room. 

Some  windows  and  doors  will  be  required  to  be  cut  in  the  magazine  building,  a 
concrete  floor  laid,  and  light  partitions  constructed  to  separate  the  sexes.  The  small 
building  near  the  magazine,  formerly  used  by  the  guard,  will  answer  for  executive 
and  keepers'  quarters,  while  another  one  located  some  distance  to  the  east  is  suitable 
for  an  isolation  hospital. 

I  understand  that  the  spring  is  not  visited  by  small  boats,  but  that  they  obtain 
their  fresh-water  supply  near  San  Antonio  Bridge. 

All  of  the  buildings  have  been  stripped  of  windows  and  doors,  but  it  is  roughly 
estimated  that  for  the  same  amount  of  money  Miraflores  could  be  placed  in  an  equally 
good  condition  for  quarantine  purposes  as  would  be  required  upon  Cabras  Island, 
especially  since  the  large  frame  warehouse  has  been  razed  and  the  disinfecting  house 
badly  damaged  by  the  storm. 

For  the  purpose  of  a  leper  colony,  however,  the  demolished  buildings  would  not 
be  required,  and  those  remaining  would  only  need  a  few  minor  repairs.  The  loca- 
tion of  Cabras  Island,  too,  is  sufficiently  approachable  to  furnish  supplies  and  medical 
attendance  when  necessary. 

Respectfully  submitted.  A.  II.  GLEXXAN, 

Cni/rd  Wat'':-,  M-.  rine-Hofpit&l  Service. 

The  SUPERIOR  BoAKD  <>i    HKALTU  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  /?. 


EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        21 

After  full  discussion,  it  was  unanimously  agreed  to  recommend  Mira- 
flores  as  a  provisional  place  for  detention  and  quarantine,  and  the 
assignment  of  Cabras  Island  to  the  leper  colony. 

The  consideration  of  appointment  of  sanitary  inspectors  for  the  island 
to  report  on  all  sanitary  matters  which  might  need  immediate  attention, 
owing  to  the  recent  destructive  hurricane,  was  next  considered. 

The  secretary  was  directed  to  mail  the  following  letter,  with  penalty 
envelope,  to  every  sanitary  inspector  without  delay: 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  10,  1899. 

MY  DEAR  DOCTOR:  The  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico  during  the  comple- 
tion of  its  organization  throughout  the  island  is  anxious  to  be  kept  constantly  informed 
of  the  current  sanitary  condition  of  the  people. 

Placing  confidence  in  your  intelligence  and  patriotism,  at  this  trying  time,  it  asks 
you  to  make  a  daily  report  on  the  sanitary  condition  of  your  municipality,  giving 
special  attention  to  the  people  in  the  country  districts,  remote  from  the  main  roads 
of  communication. 

In  your  first  letter  please  state: 

First.  How  many  lives  were  lost  in  the  hurricane  in  your  municipality? 

Second.  How  many  houses  were  destroyed? 

Third.  What  is  the  present  food  supply,  and  how  long  will  it  last? 

Fourth.  How  are  the  homeless  people  housed,  and  how  long  will  it  take  to  restore 
their  houses? 

Fifth.  What  sanitary  precautions  should  be  taken  at  once? 

Please  write  fully  and  use  the  inclosed  envelope  for  reply. 
Very  respectfully, 

GEO.  G.  GROFF,  Secretary. 

The  subject  of  permanent  committees  of  the  board  was  considered. 
After  discussion,  it  was  moved  by  Dr.  Glennan  and  seconded  by  Dr. 
Groff  that  six  permanent  committees  be  appointed  and  that  the  presi- 
dent name  the  committees.  The  motion  was  approved. 

STANDING   COMMITTEES   OF   THE   BOARD. 

1.  Executive — to  have  charge  of  rules,  regulations,  and  finance:  The  president. 

2.  Committee  on  public  water  supplies,  drainage,  sewerage,  public  institutions,  and 
school  hygiene:  Surg.  F.  W.  F.  Wieber,  U.  S.  N. 

3.  Registration  and  vital  statistics,  trades  and  occupations  prejudicial  to  the  public 
health,  licenses  and  permits;  all  nuisances  and  offensive  industries,  tenement  houses, 
street  cleaning,  vaccine  station  and  vaccination:  The  secretary. 

4.  Inspection  of  foods  and  drinks,  drugs,,  poisons,  explosives,  and  other  special 
sources  of  danger  to  life  and  limb:  Dr.  Gabriel  Ferrer. 

5.  Regulation  of  the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery,  pharmacy,  dentistry,  mid- 
wifery, embalming  and  undertaking,  cemeteries:  Dr.  Ricardo  Hernandez. 

6.  Preventable  and  communicable  diseases,  diseases  of  domestic  animals  commu- 
nicable to  men,  interior  quarantine:  Surg.  A.  H.  Glennan,  U.  S.  M.  H.  S. 

A  motion  was  adopted  to  add  the  subject  of  interior  quarantine  to 
the  subject  pertaining  to  the  sixth  committee. 

The  subject  of  the  regulation  of  prostitution  in  the  towns  in  which 
military  posts  are  established  was  brought  before  the  board  by  the 
president.  After  full  discussion,  the  existing  regulations  in  the  city 
of  San  Juan  were  referred  to  Drs.  Hernandez  and  Ferrer  for  examina- 
tion and  report  to  the  board. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  15,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  this  evening.  The  president  in  the 
chair.  All  the  members  present  except  Dr.  Ferrer.  The  minutes  of 
the  last  meeting  were  read  and  adopted.  The  following  communica- 


22   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

tion,  addressed  by  the  president  of  the  board  to  the  alcaldes  of  the 
island,  was  read: 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  15,  1899. 

The  attention  of  the  alcaldes  is  invited  to  the  immediate  necessity  for  cleaning:  up 
every  town  in  their  districts  and  putting  everything  in  the  best  sanitary  condition. 
This  will  give  work  to  the  idle  and  prevent  sickness.  Every  able-bodied  man  who 
is  not  otherwise  engaged  should  at  once  be  put  at  this  work.  "  It  is  especially  recom- 
mended that  every  dead  body,  whether  man  or  beast,  be  immediately  buried. 
By  order  of  the  superior  board  of  health. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

President. 

A  communication  from  the  alcalde  of  Utuado,  in  reply  to  a  letter 
addressed  to  him  by  the  secretary  of  the  board,  states  that  there  is  a 
large  amount  of  sickness  in  his  municipality;  that  from  June  1  to  July 
1  there  had  been  apparently  659  more  deaths  than  births.  The  pre- 
vailing diseases  were  dysentery  and  anemia.  He  knows  of  no  cause 
for  the  exceptional  amount  of  sickness,  unless  it  be  the  poverty  of  the 
people.  The  secretary  was  directed  to  address  a  letter  to  the  alcalde, 
calling  his  attention  to  the  necessity  for  taking  special  care  in  refer- 
ence to  the  purity  of  the  drinking  water. 

Communication  from  Dr.  Diaz,  of  Guayama,  P.  R.,  complaining  of 
the  bad  sanitary  conditions  in  that  town,  was  read.  The  secretary  was 
directed  to  write  to  the  alcalde  and  call  his  attention  to  the  matter. 

A  letter  prepared  by  the  secretary,  calling  the  attention  of  the  sani- 
tary inspectors  to  the  need  of  great  care  in  cleaning  up  the  municipali- 
ties, and  of  sanitary  work  in  general,  was  ordered  sent  to  the  inspect- 
ors and  to  be  published  in  the  Official  Gazette  and  the  several  papers 
of  San  Juan. 

The  secretary  invited  attention  to  the  water  supply  of  the  playa  at 
Ponce,  saying  that  he  considered  the  water  in  use  dangerous.     He 
was  authorized  to  write  to  the  health  officer  for  a  report  on  the  sani 
tary  condition  of  Ponce  and  its  playa. 

The  matter  of  properly  locating  and  arranging  the  homes  of  the 
poor  on  the  outskirts  of  each  municipality  was  taken  up. 

The  president  was  directed  to  address  a  communication  to  the  Adju- 
tant-General, asking  that  an  old  order  of  June  8,  1893,  be  revised  for 
this  purpose.  (See  circular  No.  32,  series  1899,  Adjutant-General's 
Office.) 

The  committee  to  consider  the  garbage  dump  at  San  Juan  submitted 
a  report,  which  was  accepted  and  ordered  sent  to  the  Adjutant-General, 
inviting  attention  to  the  imperative  need  of  a  garbage  creinatoiy  in 
San  Juan.  (See  p.  42.) 

SAN  JUAX,  P.  R.,  August  24,  1899. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  this  evening  at  8  o'clock.  The  presi- 
dent in  the  chair.  All  members  present.  The  minutes  of  the  last 
meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

A  communication  from  the  military  governor  was  presented,  direct 
ing  the  board  to  make  a  sanitary  inspection  of  the  San  Francisco  bar- 
racks with  a  view  of  determining  their  fitness  for  a  jail,  and  to  secure 
from  the  architect  of  the  board  of  public  works  a  report  as  to  the 
feasibility  of  converting  the  building  and  using  it  for  such  purpose. 

On  motion,  the  president  appointed  the  following  committee  to  report 
on  the  matter:  Drs.  Glennan,  Ferrer,  and  Hernandez. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        23 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  president  of  the  board 
stating  that  the  commanding  general  desired  the  board  to  prepare  a 
code  of  regulations  for  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  and 
to  make  an  estimate  of  the  mone}r  needed  to  conduct  the  operations  of 
this  delegation. 

A  petition  was  received  from  Ponce  requesting  authority  to  slaugh- 
ter pregnant  cattle,  which  was  referred  to  the  secretary  for  investiga- 
tion and  report. 

The  secretary  presented  a  circular  on  typhoid  fever  and  dysentery, 
intended  to  give  popular  information  on  the  manner  of  avoiding  these 
diseases.  It  was  ordered  that  the  circular  be  translated  and  trans- 
mitted to  Dr.  Ferrer  for  examination. 

A  vaccine  station  having  been  established  in  the  building  of  the  old 
institute  "Agronomica"  at  Santurce,  the  following  rules  for  its  gov- 
ernment were  adopted: 

1.  The  superintendent  is  in  charge  at  the  station,  subject  to  the  orders  of  the  sec- 
retary of  the  board.     He  is  responsible  for  the  care  and  cleanliness  of  all  the  property 
of  the  board  at  the  station  and  for  the  manner  in  which  all  work  is  done. 

2.  So  far  as  possible  the  vaccinating  and  collecting  of  virus  will  be  done  in  the 
forenoon. 

3.  The  house,  the  office,  the  grounds,  the  sheds,  the  operating  table,  and  the  floor 
under  it  must  all  be  kept  scrupulously  clean  at  all  times. 

4.  The  operating  table  and  the  floor  under  it  must  be  scrubbed  with  soap  each  day 
after  operations  are  completed  and  rinsed  with  water  containing  bichloride  of  mercury. 

5.  Perfectly  healthy  animals  only  shall  be  used  at  the  vaccine  station,  and  they 
shall  not  be  operated  on  when  overheated. 

6.  An  animal  shall  be  prepared  for  vaccination  as  follows:  After  being  fastened  upon 
the  table  the  area  to  be  vaccinated  shall  be  scrubbed  with  soap  and  water,  then 
shaved  and  thoroughly  washed  with  water  containing  mercury  bichloride,  1  to  1,000,. 
then  washed  with  water  (sterilized  by  boiling)  and  dried  with  a  clean  towel. 

7.  The  vaccinations  shall  be  upon  one  flank,  and  shall  consist  of  areas  about  the  size 
of  an  American  quarter  dollar,  each  separated  from  others  by  a  space  of  about  1  inch. 
The  number  of  areas  shall  depend  upon  the  age  and  size  of  the  animal.     Not  more, 
usually,  than  sixteen  to  one  animal. 

8.  All  operations  shall  be  performed  only  with  instruments  which  are  perfectly 
clean  and  which  have  been  sterilized  since  last  using.     Immediately  after  the  opera- 
tions of  any  day  the  instruments  shall  be  cleaned  and  sterilized  by  boiling. 

9.  The  points  before  being  charged  shall  be  sterilized  by  boiling  in  water,  dried  011 
a  wire  screen,  and  after  coating  they  shall  be  packed  in  designated  boxes,  duly  marked 
with  date,  history  of  animal,  etc.,  and  forwarded  to  San  Juan  on  the  same  day. 
After  being  coated  the  points  shall  not  be  handled  more  than  necessary  and  shall 
not  be  exposed  to  the  sun  or  to  dust. 

10.  Should  an  animal  be  injured  in  any  operation,  the  secretary  of  the  board  shall 
be  at  once  notified,  and  all  the  details  of  the  accident  laid  before'him. 

11.  So  soon  as  animals  have  recovered  from  the  results  of  operations  and  are  in 
good  condition  they  should  be  returned  to  their  owners  and  receipts  taken  for  same. 

12.  A  book  shall  be  kept  at  the  station  in  which  shall  be  entered  a  detailed  record 
of  all  the  operations  on  each  animal,  the  number  of  points  produced,  with  all  the 
results  of  the  operation,  in  order  that  a  complete  history  of  the  work  of  the  station 
may  be  written  at  any  time. 

.  By  order  of  the  board : 

GEO.  G.  GROFF,  Secretary. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  municipal  board  of  health 
of  San  Juan  requesting  assistance  in  the  enforcement  of  the  sanitary 
laws  of  the  city.  A  letter  was  directed  to  be  addressed  to  the  alcalde, 
calling  his  attention  to  the  unsanitary  condition  of  the  city  and  the 
imperative  need  of  the  enforcement  of  the  existing  sanitary  laws  and 
regulations. 

A  blank  form  was  ordered  sent  to  the  different  alcaldes  to  be  tilled 
in  with  the  names  of  those  who  lost  their  lives  in  the  recent  hurricane. 


24   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

It  was  decided  that  regular  meetings  should  be  held  on  the  first  and 
third  Thursdays  of  every  month 

The  advent  of  bubonic  plague  in  Portugal  was  brought  to  the  atten- 
tion of  the  board. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  31,  1899. 

A  meeting  was  held  this  evening  at  8  o'clock  in  the  offices  of  the 
board.  President  in  the  chair.  All  the  members  present  except  Dr. 
Ferrer.  The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

The  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  question  of  the  whole- 
someness  of  beef  from  pregnant  cattle  reported  that  there  was  no  evi- 
dence that  such  meat  was  unfit  for  human  consumption,  provided  the 
animals  were  otherwise  healthy.  (See  p.  43.) 

The  committee  on  quarantine  reported  verbally  that  the  changing 
of  the  buildings  on  the  island  of  Miraflores  into  a  quarantine  station 
was  now  in  the  hands  of  the  department  of  public  works. 

The  special  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  feasibility  of 
converting  the  San  Francisco  barracks  into  a  jail  submitted  its  report 
(see  p.  44).  It  believed  that  the  barracks  could  not  be  converted  into 
a  jail  with  satisfactory  sanitary  conditions,  and  it  recommended  that 
such  be  not  done.  The  report  was  adopted  and  ordered  forwarded  to 
the  military  governor. 

The  secretary  presented  reports  from  the  sanitary  inspectors  at 
Guayama  and  Adjuntas,  in  which  attention  was  invited  to  the  need  of 
new  cemeteries.  He  was  directed  to  refer  these  reports  to  the  com- 
manding officers  at  Guayama  and  Adjuntas,  asking  for  examination 
and  report  to  this  board. 

A  communication  from  the  alcalde  of  Guayama,  asking  for  an 
appropriation  of  $1,000  for  a  hospital  at  that  place,  was  referred  to 
the  commanding  officer  for  examination  and  report. 

The  secretary  submitted  a  report  of  an  inspection  made  b}^  himself 
of  the  seaport  towns  immediately  after  the  hurricane.  He  also  offered 
a  brief  of  the  present  duties  of  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and 
surgery.  Drs.  Groff  and  Hernandez  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
draw  up  a  code  of  regulations  for  the  subdelegation. 

Reports  of  smallpox  at  Adjuntas,  Quebradiilas,  and  Guayama  were 
read,  and  the  secretary  stated  that  vaccine  virus  had  been  sent  to  these 
municipalities. 

A  letter  was  directed  to  be  addressed  to  the  president  of  the  municipal 
board  of  health  of  San  Juan,  calling  his  attention  to  the  need  of  closer 
inspections  of  groceries;  also  that  a  foul  sewer  had  for  a  long  time 
existed  on  the  corner  of  San  Jose  and  San  Sebastian  streets,  and  that, 
in  the  estimation  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  it  constituted  a 
nuisance. 

SAN.  JUAN,  P.  R.,  Sej>t<'m1><-i'  7,  1899. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  8  o'clock  in  the  offices  of  the  board. 
The  president  presided.  All  the  members  were  present.  The  minutes 
of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  adopted. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  on  foods,  drinks,  drugs,  etc.,  reported 
verbally  that  there  was  need  of  a  more  careful  inspection  of  the  food 
supply  sold  in  the  small  groceries  at  San  Juan.  The  secretary  was 
directed  to  address  a  letter  to  the  president  of  the  local  board  of  health, 
calling  his  attention  to  the  necessity  of  a  more  careful  inspection  of 
these  articles. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        25 

The  committee  on  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  submitted  its  report, 
which  was  adopted  (see  p.  45),  and  ordered  to  be  forwarded  for  the 
action  of  the  military  governor.  (See  General  Orders  153,  163,  and 
191,  series  1899.) 

The  secretary  reported  that  the  production  of  virus  at  the  vaccine 
station  had  commenced  and  that  a  thousand  points  had  been  taken. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  military  governor  relative 
to  the  proposed  sanitary  regulations  submitted  by  the  board,  stating 
that  he  was  not  able,  at  the  present  time,  to  give  them  full  consideration. 
(Parts  of  these  regulations  were  from  time  to  time  published  in  general 
orders  until  nearly  all  ultimately  became  law.) 

Application  for  permission  to  disinter  a  body  in  the  cemetery  at 
San  Juan  was  read  and  granted,  the  body  having  been  buried  the 
statutory  period.  (See  p.  48.) 

SEPTEMBER  22,  1899. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  president  of  the  board  in  its 
offices  at  8  p.  m.  All  members  present  except  Dr.  Ferrer.  The  minutes 
of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  adopted. 

The  following  communications  were  received  and  acted  upon  by  the 
board:  From  Juan  Acuna,  regarding  impure  water  at  his  residence; 
from  the  sanitary  inspector  at  Ponce,  in  reference  to  the  sewers  in  the 
city  prison  and  city  hospital;  from  the  sanitary  inspector  of  Quebra- 
dillas,  regarding  his  salary;  from  the  commanding  officer  at  Humacao, 
in  reference  to  the  bad  sanitary  condition  at  that  place;  from  the 
assistant  collector  of  the  port,  San  Juan,  calling  attention  to  the  bubonic 
plague  in  Portugal  (this  matter  was  referred  to  Surgeon  Glen  nan  for 
action  and  report);  from  Dr.  Cabreras,  in  reference  to  contagious 
diseases  in  a  private  hospital  at  which  he  is  physician;  from  the  com- 
mandant at  Ponce,  inclosing  a  copy  of  a  letter  written  to  Dr.  Ygara- 
videz,  Penuelas,  regarding  his  work  at  that  place;  from  Angel  J. 
Morales,  of  Anasco,  regarding  the  loss  of  his  license  as  pharmacist 
during  the  storm;  from  the  commanding  officer  at  Adjuntas,  in  regard 
to  the  cemetery  at  that  place;  from  the  superintendent  at  the  vaccine 
station,  in  reference  to  the  difficulty  in  securing  cattle  for  vaccination, 
and  from  the  commanding  general,  in  reference  to  the  control  of  pros- 
titution (referred  to  the  special  committee  on  the  subject).  'The  follow- 
ng  resolution,  governing  the  sale  of  drugs  and  medicines,  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  in  all  civilized  and  enlightened  countries  it  has  been 
found  necessary  to  promulgate  laws  to  protect  the  lives  and  health  of  the  people 
from  impure  and  unwholesome  foods,  drinks,  and  medicines,  the  superior  board  of 
health  recommends  that  the  accompanying  regulations  be  promulgated  in  general 
orders.  (See  General  Orders  151,  series  1899,  and  87,  series  1900,  pp.  52,  53.) 

SEPTEMBER  28,  1899. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  4  p.  m.  by  the  president.  All  the 
members  present,  except  Dr.  Glennan.  The  reading  of  the  minutes 
were  postponed.  The  order  of  business  was  the  consideration  of  the 
accounts  for  the  month  of  September,  which  were  considered,  approved, 
and  ordered  paid;  after  which  the  board,  at  6  p.  m.,  adjourned,  to  meet 
at  the  call  of  the  president. 

OCTOBER  5,  1899. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  president  at  8  o'clock  in  the 
offices  of  the  board.  The  minutes  of  the  last  meetings  were  read  and 
approved. 


26   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  committee  reported  that  they  were  unable  to  find  the  archives 
of  the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy.  (Some  of  these  were  afterwards 
found.) 

The  following-  communications  were  received  and  acted  upon: 

From  the  adjutant-general,  in  reference  to  the  garbage  crematory 
at  San  Juan.  From  B.  Molinas,  Ponce,  regarding  meat  from  cattle 
pregnant  more  than  six  months.  From  the  alcalde  of  Mayaguez, 
regarding  the  sanitary  needs  of  that  city.  From  the  commandant  at 
Cayey,  reporting  on  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  cemetery  at 
Guayama. 

The  secretary  presented  a  report  on  the  requirements  necessary  to 
secure  a  license  for  physicians  and  surgeons,  pharmacists,  dentists,  etc., 
which,  with  the  blanks  for  applications,  etc.,  was  adopted.  The  sec- 
retary was  authorized  to  have  the  required  number  of  blanks,  etc., 
printed. 

The  regulations  on  interior  quarantine,  which  had  been  previously 
adopted,  were  referred  to  the  committee  on  that  subject  for  further 
consideration,  after  which  they  were  to  be  transmitted  to  the  president 
of  the  board  for  submission  to  the  military  governor.  (See  General 
Order  170,  series  1899,  p.  57.) 

The  board  decided  to  recommend  the  appointment  of  a  commission 
to  report  upon  the  feasibility  of  using  public  lands  on  the  island  (city) 
of  San  Juan  for  building  and  park  purposes. 

OCTOBER  17,  1899. 

A  special  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  was  held  in  its 
office  at  8  o'clock.  President  presided.  All  the  members  present. 
Minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  adopted. 

The  special  business  was  the  consideration  of  the  contested  bill  of 
Dr.  Manuel  Martinez  Rosello  against  the  estate  of  Mr.  Francisco 
Sanchez.  (A  duty  inherited  from  the  subdelegation  of  medicine.)  It 
was  returned  with  the  recommendation  that  the  physician  be  paid  $125 
(pesos)  in  full  of  his  account. 

OCTOBER  19,  1899. 

A  regular  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  in  its  office  at  8  p.  m.,  the 
president  in  the  chair.  All  the  members  present,  except  Dr.  Ferrer. 
The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

The  committee  on  prostitution  made  report,  which  the  board  ordered 
translated.  (See  p.  46.) 

The  following  communications  were  received  and  actod  upon : 

From  the  president  of  the  insular  board  of  education,  in  reference 
to  a  course  of  study  in  pharmacy.  A  committee  of  two,  consisting  of 
the  secretary  and  Dr.  Ferrer,  was  appointed  to  draw  up  a  course  of 
instruction  in  pharmacy.  From  the  president  of  the  San  Juan  board 
of  health,  in  regard  to  the  alterations  in  the  sewers  of  San  Juan.  From 
the  council  of  San  Juan,  referring  to  flesh  of  pregnant  animals.  From 
the  commanding  officer  of  Ponce,  in  regard  to  the  sanitary  condition 
of  that  city.  From  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Department  of  San- 
tiago, Cuba,  in  reference  to  the  securing  of  vaccine  virus  from  this 
board.  The  secretary  and  Dr.  Glennan  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
investigate  the  matter  of  supplying  vaccine  virus  for  Cuba  and  submit 
a  report  to  the  board. 

Report  from  the  superintendent  of  the  vaccine  station  was  ordered 
filed. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        27 

The  president  presented  a  copy  of  a  letter  which  he  had  sent  to  the 
board  of  prison  control,  requesting  that  all  jail  physicians  be  required 
to  vaccinate  all  prisoners  hereafter  admitted  to  these  institutions. 
The  secretary  was  directed  to  invite  the  attention  of  the  president  of 
the  insular  school  board  to  the  fact  that  a  regulation  existed  in  refer- 
ence to  the  vaccination  of  school  children  and  teachers. 

A  communication  from  the  municipality  of  Salinas,  in  reference  to 
the  securing  of  the  keys  to  the  cemetery  of  that  municipality.  A 
communication  from  the  president,  regarding  glanders  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Rio  Piedras.  It  was  directed  that  a  letter  be  sent  to  the  com- 
manding general  in  reference  to  this  disease. 

The  secretary  reported  that  all  questions  to  be  used  in  the  approach- 
ing examination  of  physicians,  etc.,  were  ready,  and  that  blanks  had 
been  prepared  and  distributed  for  the  gathering  of  vital  statistics  and 
information  concerning  cemeteries,  asylums,  hospitals,  blind  and 
lepers,  and  contagious,  diseases. 

NOVEMBER  3,  1899. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  8  p.  m.  in  the  office  of  the  board.  The  presi- 
dent presided.  All  the  members  were  present,  except  Dr.  Ferrer. 
The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

A  communication  from  Dr.  Sein,  of  Lares,  regarding  the  death  rate 
of  that  municipality,  was  read.  From  Dr.  del  Valle,  San  Juan,  giving 
information  concerning  licenses  heretofore  conferred  upon  dentists. 
From  the  civil  secretary,  in  regard  to  the  custom  of  registering 
licenses  in  municipalities.  From  the  deputy  United  States  marshal, 
complaining  that  cattle  were  being  killed  at  Rio  Piedras  without 
inspection.  A  letter  was  ordered  sent  to  the  local  meat  inspector, 
calling  his  attention  to  this  fact.  Communication  from  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Ponce  board  of  health,  regarding  the  slaughter  of  preg- 
nant cattle  and  the  uncleanly  condition  of  the  streets,  was  presented. 
Letter  was  received  from  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  prison  control, 
stating  that  prison  physicians  had  been  instructed  to  vaccinate  all 
persons  in  confinement,  as  well  as  those  to  enter  in  future.  The  board 
suggested  that  reports  on  vaccination  should  be  required  monthly  from 
the  prisons. 

Report  from  the  superintendent  of  the  vaccine  station  for  the  month 
of  October  was  presented. 

The  secretary  was  directed  to  prepare  a  draft  for  a  general  order 
governing  the  registration  of  foreigners  in  the  office  of  the  superior 
board  of  health;  also  one  requiring  monthly  sanitary  reports  from  the 
alcaldes  and  municipal  judges,  and  also  on  the  Regulation  of  nuisances, 
construction  of  sewers,  etc. ,  in  accordance  with  the  regulations  of  the 
board. 

The  matter  of  forming  an  examining  committee  for  the  examination 
of  physicians,  pharmacists,  dentists,  etc.,  was  considered,  and  the  sec- 
retary was  directed  to  communicate  with  Dr.  Salicrup,  Ponce;  Dr. 
Amadeo,  of  Maunabo,  and  Ernesto  Salvio,  pharmacist,  Mayaguez, 
inviting  them  to  serve  on  the  examining  committee.  Dr.  F.  Curbelo 
was  named  in  case  one  of  the  other  physicians  should  decline. 

The  secretary  was  directed  to  publish  the  names  and  other  data 
connected  with  the  registration  of  physicians,  surgeons,  etc.,1  who 
had  registered  in  the  offices  of  the  subdelegations  of  medicine  and 
pharmacy. 


28  EEPOKT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

NOVEMBER  16,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  was  called  to  order  by 
the  president  at  8  p.  m.  All  the  members  were  present.  The  min- 
utes of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  adopted. 

The  committee  on  interior  quarantine  recommended  that  a  suitable 
floating  plant  for  disinfecting  purposes  should  be  secured  by  the  insu- 
lar government. 

The  committee  on  a  course  in  pharmacy  reported  that  two  courses 
had  been  prepared  and  that  an  effort  was  being  made  to  learn  the  exist- 
ing requirements  in  reference  to  the  studies  in  this  profession.  (See 
p.  47.) 

The  committee  on  the  production  of  vaccine  virus  for  Cuba  reported 
that  it  was  prepared  to  produce  virus  at  the  station  of  the  board  and 
recommended  that  such  be  done.  A  communication  from  the  gov- 
ernor, in  reference  to  the  killing  of  pregnant  cows,  was  referred  to 
Drs.  Groff  and  Glennan  as  a  committee  of  two  to  consider  the  subject. 
The  president  read  a  communication  from  the  president  of  the  board 
of  prison  control,  stating  that  the  prison  physicians  had  been  directed 
to  report  to  the  superior  board  of  health  vaccinations  made  in  the 
prisons  of  the  island. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  ayuntamiento  of  Hato 
Grande  in  reference  to  the  bubonic  plague.  The  secretary  was 
instructed  to  secure  material  for  the  preparation  of  a  circular  on  this 
disease.  A  communication  from  the  alcalde  and  council  of  Guayanilla 
in  reference  to  a  drug  bill  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  examina- 
tion in  pharmacy. 

The  subject  of  licensing  those  who  had  passed  examinations  in  the 
extinct  institute  was  taken  up.  The  secretar}"  was  instructed  to  issue 
licenses  when  satisfied  that  all  the  examinations  had  been  fully  passed. 
The  secretary  was  instructed  to  secure  from  the  civil  secretary  the 
registry  of  the  names  of  the  professional  men  recently  kept  at  the 
palace. 

The  following  communications  were  acted  upon:  From  Dr.  M.  Cas- 
tro, requesting  the  position  of  general  health  officer  of  Porto  Rico;  from 
Dr.  W.  F.  Smith,  stating  his  qualifications  for  practice  in  Porto  Rico. 
The  case  of  Mr.  Jose  Figueros,  of  Naranjito,  P.  R.,  who  had  been 
practicing  medicine  in  Porto  Rico  for  more  than  ten  years  without  a 
license,  as  municipal  physician  in  several  municipalities,  was  consid- 
ered. It  was  decided  that  as  his  right  to  practice  had  been  recognized 
by  the  government  in  permitting  him  to  practice  as  municipal  physi- 
cian without  license  a  license  from  this  board  should  be  granted. 
Communication  from  Dr.  Lange,  of  Mayaguez,  regarding  his  license, 
was  acted  upon. 

The  secretary  was  instructed  to  write  to  the  alcaldes  of  Aguada  and 
Ciales,  stating  that  this  board  believed  that  the  cemeteries  in  these 
municipalities  should  be  enlarged.  The  regulation  on  nuisances, 
adopted  by  the  board,  was  ordered  referred  to  the  committee  on 
interior  quarantine,  thereafter  to  be  returned  to  the  president  for 
submission  to  the  military  governor.  (See  General  Order  80,  series 
1900,  p.  68.) 

NOVEMBER  29,  1899. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  president  in  the  office  of  the 
board  at  4  p.  m.  All  the  members  present  except  Dr.  Ferrer. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  on  interior  quarantine  reported  on 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        29 

the  need  and  cost  of  a  floating  disinfecting  plant  for  San  Juan,  the 
cost  being  placed  at  $5,360.97,  exclusive  of  the  barge  required.  The 
report  was  forwarded  to  the  military  governor,  inclosing  a  letter  from 
the  Surgeon-General,  Marine-Hospital  Service,  with  the  recommenda- 
tion that  at  least  one  disinfecting  barge  be  secured  for  Porto  Rico  at 
the  earliest  practicable  moment. 

The  committee  on  disinterment  of  bodies  reported  that  it  had  found 
a  circular  of  August  1,  1863,  which  prohibited  the  disinterment  of 
bodies  before  two  years,  and  the  disinterment  of  persons  dead  from 
contagious  diseases.  (See  p.  48.) 

The  accounts  for  the  month  of  November  were  presented  and 
approved.  A  petition  by  Pedro  Colon  for  permission  to  open  a  drug 
store  was  acted  upon;  also  a  communication  from  the  alcalde  of 
Humacao,  in  reference  to  the  need  of  a  new  cemetery  at  Punta  de 
Santiago.  A  drug  bill  from  the  municipality  of  Guayanilla  was  pre- 
sented and  ordered  returned,  because  the  papers  were  incomplete.  A 
letter  from  the  Surgeon-General  regarding  Dr.  W.  F.  Smith's  army 
services  was  presented.  The  board  decided  that  this  was  sufficient  to 
entitle  Dr.  Smith  to  a  license. 

Petition  from  Juan  Arzuaga  for  a  license  was  considered. 

The  secretary  presented  a  number  of  regulations  adopted  by  the 
board.  They  were  ordered  referred  to  the  committee  on  interior 
quarantine  for  revision. 

The  president's  action  in  sending  a  request  to  the  commanding  gen- 
eral for  a  chemical  laboratory  was  approved. 

A  communication  from  the  Surgeon-General  calling  attention  to  an 
error  in  one  of  the  board's  circulars  was  presented. 

DECEMBER  14,  1899. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  in  the  office  of  the  board  by  the  pres- 
ident at  4  p.  m.  The  committee  on  a  course  of  study  in  pharmacy 
submitted  an  outline  for  a  two^ear  course  in  school  and  three-year 
course  in  drug  store  (see  p.  48). 

A  letter  from  the  president  of  the  Ponce  board  of  health  in  reference 
to  the  prosecution  of  persons  who  engage  in  the  sale  of  adulterated 
wine  was  read.  The  board  ordered  that  he  be  instructed  to  prosecute 
all  such  persons. 

A  communication  from  Dr.  Orcasitas,  Rio  Piedras,  regarding  some 
bad  flour  that  he  had  seized,  was  presented.  He  was  then  instructed 
to  proceed  according  to  the  provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  151, 
current  series. 

A  petition  of  Juan  Arzuaga  for  license  as  physician  was  laid  on  the 
table. 

Letter  from  Dr.  J.  K.  Kolnek,  of  Costa  Rica,  asking  that  the  Costa 
Rican  examination  be  considered  equivalent  to  a  State  examination  was 
read.  The  secretary  was  directed  to  inform  Dr.  Kolnek  that  it  will  be 
necessary  for  him  to  take  the  examination  of  this  board  in  order  to 
secure  its  license. 

A  communication  from  the  military  governor,  in  reference  to  the 
appointment  of  Dr.  Berkeley,  as  chemist,  was  presented. 

DECEMBER  29,  1899. 

A  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  was  held  this  evening  in 
the  offices  of  the  board,  the  president  in  the  chair,  and  all  the  mem- 
bers present  except  Dr.  Ferrer. 


30   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

A  letter  was  received  from  burgeon  Glennan,  expressing  regret 
that  his  relief  from  duty  in  Porto  Rico  necessitated  his  withdrawal 
from  the  board.  A  minute  was  adopted  appreciative  of  the  valuable 
services  rendered  by  Surgeon  Glennan  and  regretting  that  the  exi- 
gencies of  service  demanded  his  relief  as  a  member  of  this  board. 

The  committee  on  interior  quarantine  reported  the  cost  of  maintain- 
ing a  floating  disinfecting  barge  as  $1,100.  The  report  was  accepted 
and  the  president  was  directed  to  communicate  the  views  of  the  board 
to  the  military  governor. 

The  committee  on  inspection  of  the  hospital  of  the  Auxilio  Mutuo  at 
Santurce  reported.  The  report  was  accepted  and  a  copy  ordered  sent 
to  the  alcalde  of  San  Juan. 

Complaint  was  received  concerning  foul  odors  arising  from  the  dump 
station  of  the  San  Juan  board  of  health.  The  board  recommended 
that  a  garbage  crematory  be  introduced. 

A  communication  from  the  president  of  the  San  Juan  board  of  health 
in  reference  to  the  introduction  of  sanitary  water-closets  into  the  city 
of  San  Juan  was  presented. 

Various  applications  for  examination  as  pharmacist,  etc.,  were 
received. 

The  board  was  informed  that  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  examiners 
had  been  called  for  January  2,  1900. 

JANUARY  18,  1900. 

A  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  at  4  p.  m.  in  its  offices.  The  presi- 
dent presided.  All  the  members  were  present  except  Dr.  Ferrer.  Dr. 
Lavinder,  of  the  Marine-Hospital  Service,  was  present  as  Dr.  Glen- 
nan's  successor  on  the  board. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

The  committee  of  examiners  reported  that  examinations  were  held 
from  November  13  to  December  13,  1899,  and  at  these  examinations 
there  were  successfully  passed  six  candidates  in  medicine  and  surgery, 
two  in  pharmacy,  two  in  dentistry,  three  in  minor  surgery,  and  one 
in  midwifery;  and  that  examinations  were  held  on  January  4,  5,  and 
6,  1900,  at  which  three  physicians  were  successfully  passed.  The 
reports  were  accepted  and  the  secretary  directed  to  issue  licenses  to 
the  successful  candidates. 

On  motion  Dr.  Lavinder  was  appointed  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  interior  quara  tine. 

A  communication  from  the  military  governor,  with  reference  to  the 
appointment  of  a  chemist,  was  presented  and  ordered  returned  with 
the  following  indorsement: 

Respectfully  returned  with  the  recommendation  that  the  services  of  Dr.  William 
N.  Berkeley  be  secured  as  chemist  to  this  board  at  a  salary  of  $1,500.  It  is  believed 
that  this  amount  will  be  collected  from  the  fines  imposed  under  General  Orders,  No. 
151,  series  of  1899. 

A  communication  from  the  president  of  the  local  board  of  health  of 
San  Juan,  respecting  the  collection  of  an  account  from  the  city,  was 
forwarded  to  the  Adjutant-General  for  the  necessary  action. 

A  communication  from  the  president  of  the  San  Juan  board  of  health 
in  reference  to  a  sewer  near  Casa  Blanca  was  considered. 

Several  applications  for  the  board's  license  were  presented  and  acted 
upon. 

The  secretary  presented  a  circular  on  diphtheria,  which  was  ordered 
translated  after  revision  by  Dr.  Hernandez. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.      31 

FEBRUARY  1,  1900. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  president  at  4  p.  m.  in  the  offices 
of  the  board.  All  the  members  were  present  except  Dr.  Ferrer. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

On  motion  a  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  condition  of 
the  crypts  beneath  the  San  Francisco  and  Madres  Carmelitas  churches. 
Drs.  Hernandez  and  Lavinder  were  appointed  on  this  committee. 

The  secretary  reported  the  completion  of  the  work  of  registration 
of  physicians,  etc.,  of  the  island,  the  following  numbers  having  been 
registered:  Physicians,  169;  dentists,  35;  pharmacists,  196;  practi- 
cantes,  70;  mid  wives,  11,  and  professional  nurses,  1. 

The  president  presented  a  draft  of  an  order  modifying  the  provisions 
of  General  Orders,  *No.  153  (see  General  Order,  No.  191).  The  board 
adopted  the  proposed  order  and  directed  that  it  should  be  laid  before 
the  military  governor. 

Various  applications  for  examination  and  license  were  received  and 
acted  upon. 

The  secretary  was  directed  to  notify  the  secretary  of  the  Pure  Food 
Congress,  Washington,  D.  C.,  that  the  secretary  of  this  board  had  been 
appointed  delegate  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  congress. 

The  secretary  submitted  an  account  of  the  examiners  of  the  supe- 
rior board  of  health  for  services,  amounting  to  $465,  and  was  directed 
to  secure  a  report  from  the  examiners  before  further  considering  the 
account. 

FEBRUARY  16,  1900. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  president  at  4  p.  m.  in  the 
offices  of  the  board.  All  the  members  present  except  Dr.  Ferrer. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  approved  as  read. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  examinations  stated  that  three 
pharmacists  and  one  practicante  had  successfully  passed  the  examina- 
tion and  recommended  that  licenses  be  granted. 

The  special  committee  on  the  crypts  of  the  San  Francisco  and 
Madres  Carmelitas  churches  made  report  which  was  adopted.  The 
board  ordered  that  the  condition  referred  to  in  the  report  regarding 
the  San  Francisco  church,  be  stated  in  a  letter  to  be  sent  to  the 
bishop  of  Porto  Rico.  (See  page  48.) 

The  board  approved  the  estimate  of  expenses  for  the  month  of  Feb- 
ruary. 

The  account  of  the  examiners  for  the  two  general  examinations 
already  held  amounting  to  $465,  was  approved  and  it  was  ordered  that 
a  requisition  be  made  upon  the  auditor  for  the  money. 

A  communication  from  the  military  governor  authorizing  the  board 
to  appoint  a  chemist  at  a  salary  of  $1,500,  was  received.  The  board 
appointed  Dr.  Berkeley  to  this  position. 

A  communication  from  the  commanding  officer  at  Cayey  regarding 
smallpox  at  that  place,  was  received. 

Several  applications  for  licenses  were  presented  and  considered. 
On  the  subject  of  the  term  "  toleration,"  (Paragraph  XIV,  General 
Orders,  No.  191,  series  1899)  the  following  general  decision  was 
*  adopted: 

The  board  holds  that  a  diploma  is  a  prerequisite,  and  that  the  term  ' '  toleration ' ' 
applies  to  those  who  had  a  diploma  or  other  equal  evidence  of  attainment  granted 
by  a  teaching  body,  but  who  had  failed  to  obtain  a  license  from  the  Spanish  Govern- 
ment in  Porto  Rico. 


32   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  secretary  submitted  a  report  of  the  number  of  cases  of  conta- 
gious diseases  reported  since  the  last  meeting  of  the  board. 

MARCH  1,  1900. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  -t  p.  m.  by  the  president.  The  fol- 
lowing members  were  present:  The  president,  Drs.  Wieber,  Hernan- 
dez, and  Groif. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  military  governor,  enclos- 
ing a  letter  from  the  alcalde  of  San  Juan,  in  reference  to  a  garbage 
crematory. 

The  secretary  was  directed  to  have  prepared  a  brief  history  of  the 
royal  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  and  also  that  of  phar- 
macy from  the  records  in  possession  of  the  board. 

A  report  of  contagious  diseases  was  presented. 

MARCH  22,  J900. 

Meeting  was  called  to  order  at  4  p.  m.  in  the  offices  of  the  board  by 
the  president.  All  the  members  were  present  except  Dr.  Ferrer, 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

Dr.  George  G.  Groff,  who  had  so  efficiently  performed  the  duties  of 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Ricot 
having  been  appointed  president  of  the  board  of  education,  was  in 
compliance  with  paragraph  3,  Special  Orders,  No.  59,  from  these 
headquarters,  relieved  from  duty  as  secretary  and  treasurer  and  con- 
tinued as  a  member  of  the  board.  Dr.  Harold  W.  Cowper  was  by  the 
same  order  appointed  a  member  and  detailed  as  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico.  He  this  day  assumed 
the  duties  of  his  office. 

There  were  no  reports  from  standing  or  special  committees.  On 
motion,  the  chair  appointed  Dr.  Groff  as  a  committee  to  supervise  the 
work  of  the  chemical  laboratory. 

A  communication  from  the  municipal  council  at  Utuado,  requesting 
permission  to  open  a  new  cemetery  in  the  barrio  of  Mam  eyes,  was 
read.  It  had  been  approved  by  the  mllitaiy  governor  and  was  returned,, 
calling  attention  to  this  approval. 

A  communication  from  the  council  of  Anasco,  respecting  the  pollut- 
ing of  the  water  supply  by  the  refuse  from  Mr.  Pagan's  sugar  mill, 
was  read.  Communications  from  the  alcalde  and  captain  of  the  insu- 
lar police  on  the  same  subject  were  likewise  presented.  These  com- 
munications were  ordered  laid  on  the  table  until  Mr.  Pagan  could  be 
addressed  for  any  statement  he  might  care  to  make  on  the  subject. 
The  secretary  was  also  instructed  to  write  to  the  sanitary  inspector  for 
a  full  report.  The  president  informed  the  board  on  this  question  that 
Mr.  Pagan  was  practically  the  only  person  employing  laborers  in  this 
municipality. 

A  letter  from  the  alcalde  of  Hato  Grande,  respecting  the  right  of 
Dr.  Cueto  to  act  as  titular  physician  without  a  license  from  this  board, 
was  presented.  It  was  ordered  returned  with  the  .information  that 
under  General  Order  No.  153, 1899,  this  board  could  not  authorize  Dr. 
Cueto  to  practice  his  profession  until  he  had  complied  with  the  require-' 
ments  of  said  general  order. 

Dr  Cueto's  application  requesting  a  special  authorization  to  prac- 
tice was  presented.  It  was  ordered  icturncd  with  the,  information  that 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        33 

it  was  hoped  that  a  sufficient  number  of  applications  would  be  made  to 
justify  an  examination  being  held  in  April.  , 

A  communication  from  Rosa  Hernandez,  of  Naguabo,  complaining 
that  J.  Silva  &  Co.  were  selling  bread  at  reduced  prices  because  it  was 
made  from  flour  damaged  by  the  hurricane,  was  read.  -A  sample  of 
the  flour  complained  of  was  then-  in  the  hands  of  the  analyst.  The 
secretary  was  instructed  to  write  to  the  chemist,  requesting  him  to 
submit  a  report  on  this  flour  as  soon  as  possible. 

A  letter  from  Senor  Martinez,  of  Arecibo,  requesting  a  patent  on  a 
medicine  he  had  invented,  was  again  brought  before  the  board.  It 
was  again  laid  on  the  table  until  such  time  as  an  order  on  the  subject 
should  be  promulgated. 

Various  applications  for  licenses  were  received  and  acted  upon. 

Dr.  Hernandez  discussed  the  San  Juan  water  supply,  stating  that  he 
believed  that  much  of  the  illness  in  San  Juan  was  due  to  the  impuri- 
ties therein  contained.  On  motion,  the  chair  appointed  Drs.  Hernan- 
dez and  Lavinder  a  committee  to  investigate  the  San  Juan  water 
supply. 

APKIL  5,  1900. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  4  p.  m.  in  the  offices  of  the  board 
by  the  president,  Dr.  Ferrer  being  absent.  The  minutes  of  the  pre- 
ceding meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

Mr.  Pagan's  reply  to  the  complaint  by  the  authorities  that  he  is 
polluting  the  water  supply  of  Anasco  was  presented.  He  stated  that 
such  was  not  the  case  and  that  the  complaints  were  raised  for  political 
purposes.  The  complaints  were  ordered  forwarded  to  the  military 
governor  with  the  recommendation  that  Mr.  Pagan  be  required  to 
cease  polluting  the  water  of  the  Rio  Grande  River  on  or  before 
December  31,  1900. 

Mrs.  Monserrate's  petition  for  license  as  midwife  was  brought  before 
the  board.  The  license  was  ordered  granted,  provided  that  the  proper 
certificates,  as  of  age,  moral  character,  and  competency  in  her  calling, 
were  forthcoming.  It  was  decided  on  this  point  that  the  issue  of 
licenses  to  midwives  and  trained  nurses  should  hereafter  be  governed 
by  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  those  persons  who,  under  the  Spanish  dominion,  were  commonly 
recognized  as  following  the  calling  of  midwife  or  trained  nurse,  and  who  shall  pre- 
sent proper  certificates  as  to  age,  moral  character,  and  competency  in  their  calling, 
as  set  forth  in  the  requirements  for  licenses  governing  these  classes,  may  be  licensed 
by  this  board. 

The  secretary  reported  7  cases  of  diphtheria  and  2  cases  of  smallpox 
as  the  quarantinable  diseases  reported  since  the  last  meeting.  The  fol- 
lowing expenses  for  the  month  of  March  were  approved  by  the  board: 

Superior  board  of  health $348. 52 

Vaccine  station 114. 10 

Licenses  account 350. 99 

Laboratory 358.39 

APRIL  19,  1900. 

A  meeting  of  the  board  was  called  to  order  in  its  offices  by  the 
president  at  4  p.  m.  All  the  members  present,  except  Dr.  Ferrer.  The 
minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  approved. 

The  special  committee  on  the  San  Juan  water  supply  reported  its 
progress  verbally. 

19709—01 3 


34       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  secretary  reported  8  cases  of  smallpox  and  1  case  of  dysentery 
as  the  quarantinable  diseases  reported  since  the  last  meeting. 

Licenses  were  ordered  issued  to  Dr.  H.  B.  May  and  Dr.  La  Motte 
on  the  payment  of  the  necessary  fee.  The  former  presented  a  diploma 
from  the  Milwaukee  Medical  College  and  a  state  license  from  Wiscon- 
sin. The  latter  had  passed  the  Government  examination  for  the  Navy. 

Several  applications  for  licenses  were  acted  upon. 

A  communication  from  the  municipal  board  of  health  of  Anasco, 
requesting  information  as  to  what  had  been  done  in  the  case  of  Mr. 
Pagan,  was  read;  also  in  the  case  of  two  other  planters,  who,  it  was 
claimed,  were  polluting  the  water  supply .  The  secretary  was  instructed 
to  inform  the  board  that  the  superior  board  had  recommended  to  the 
military  governor  that  Mr.  Pagan  be  required  to  cease  polluting  the 
water  of  the  Rio  Grande  River  on  or  before  December  31,  1900,  and 
to  request  further  information  in  the  case  of  the  other  two  persons. 

In  reference  to  the  board's  annual  report  it  was  decided  to  request 
each  chairman  of  a  standing  committee  to  write  a  chapter  for  the 
annual  report  on  the  subjects  which  his  particular  committee  had  in 
charge. 

Application  from  Alfonso  Ayala,  of  Mayaguez,  for  license  as  nurse, 
was  presented,  together  with  satisfactory  proof  as  to  age,  moral  char- 
acter, and  competency  of  applicant  in  his  calling,  and  that  he  had 
practiced  during  the  Spanish  dominion  here.  The  board  ordered  a 
license  issued. 

MAY  3,  1900. 

A  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  this  afternoon  at  its  offices  at  4 
o'clock.  The  president  in  the  chair.  All  the  members  were  present, 
except  Dr.  Ferrer. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  approved  as  read. 

There  were  no  reports  of  standing  committees.  Special  committee 
on  San  Juan  water  supply  stated  that  it  had  submitted  samples  of  the 
water  to  the  analyst,  and  was  awaiting  the  result  of  the  examination 
before  submitting  its  final  report.  In  this  connection  the  secretary 
read  a  communication  from  the  analyst,  in  which  he  stated  that  the 
quantity  of  nitrites  in  the  Rio  Piedras  sample  made  it  open  to  grave 
suspicion,  but  on  account  of  the  small  quantity  submitted,  and  the 
manner  in  which  it  was  taken,  a  satisfactory  analysis  could  not  be 
made. 

It  was  resolved  to  request  the  committee  to  complete  its  report  so 
that  it  could  be  incorporated  in  the  proceedings  of  the  board.  (See 
p.  49.) 

On  motion,  it  was  resolved  to  call  on  the  chemist  for  a  preliminary 
report  on  the  laboratory  work  to  be  incorporated  in  the  board's  annual 
report  to  the  military  governor. 

Senor  Torres's  application  for  license  as  dentist  was  again  brought 
before  the  board.  The  papers  were  ordered  returned  with  the  fol- 
lowing indorsement: 

Respectfully  returned.  Inasmuch  as  the  order  under  which  this  board  acts 
requires  that  its  licenciates  shall  have  a  diploma  or  a  certificate  from  some  recognized 
teaching  body,  and  as  no  such  diploma  or  certificate  appears  with  these  papers,  the 
board  is  not  authorized  to  issue  the  requested  license. 

The  communication  from  the  municipal  board  of  health  of  Anasco 
regarding  the  pollution  of  the  water  supply  was  again  laid  on  the 
table  until  a  reply  could  be  received  to  a  letter  sent  to  them  by  order 
of  the  board  at  its  last  meeting. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        35 

The  report  of  the  superintendent  of  the  vaccine  station  was  read. 
It  was  accepted  and  ordered  filed. 

The  secretary  stated  that  the  following  quarantinable  diseases  had 
been  reported  since  last  meeting: 

Smallpox:  At  Caguas,  5  cases;  at  Hatillo,  7. 

Diphtheria:  At  Caguas,  1  case. 

Dysentery:  At  San  Juan,  1  case. 

An  application  from  Dr.  Carrill  y  Rivera  for  a  title  as  pharmacist 
was  laid  on  the  table  for  the  action  of  the  new  board. 

Vouchers  for  the  following  amounts  were  approved: 

Superior  board  of  health '. $417.  24 

Laboratory 569. 71 

Vaccine  station 105.  22 

License  account 115.  71 

The  president  announced  that  General  Orders,  No.  102,  current  series, 
discontinued  this  board,  and  appointed  a  new  one  under  .the  civil 
government. 

He  stated  that  the  board  had  reason  to  congratulate  itself  on  the 
work  it  had  accomplished  since  its  formation,  and  the  firm  foundation 
it  had  laid  for  the  building  up  of  an  excellent  sanitary  system  for  Porto 
Rico.  He  suggested  that  the  usefulness  of  the  superior  board  of  health 
would  probably  be  put  to  the  test  this  year,  as  he  feared  that  a  grave 
epidemic  was  extremely  likely  to  occur,  so  many  conditions  being 
favorable  to  its  advent.  He  thanked  the  members  for  their  hearty  co- 
operation in  the  work  during  the  year,  and  for  the  unity  and  accord 
which  characterized  all  their  deliberations. 

There  being  no  further  business,  the  board,  at  5.20  p.  HI.,  adjourned 
sine  die. 

REPORTS  OF  SPECIAL  COMMITTEES. 

[Appendix  to  extract  from  minutes  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  Porto  Rico.] 

'    JULY  1,  1899. 

SIR:  In  accord  with  your  verbal  instructions,  I  visited  the  insane  asylum  to-day.  It 
is  impossible  in  a  few  hours  to  study  the  institution  as  should  be  done  to  get  any 
clear  knowledge  of  all  its  internal  workings,  and  for  this  purpose  I  would  suggest 
that  a  Spanish-speaking  physician  be  retained  for  two  weeks  to  make  an  exhaustive 
examination  of  the  methods  of  the  institution,  both  the  administrative  and  the  pro- 
fessional, and  to  make  a  report  upon  the  same. 

I  could  not  obtain  any  information  in  the  office  of  the  " director,"  but  found  the 
books  of  the  institution  in  possession  of  the  Mother  Superior.  I  found  recorded  the 
date  of  admittance  of  patients  and  of  their  removal,  but  no  account  of  medical  exami- 
nation, classification,  or  treatment. 

There  is  an  asylum  physician  who,  I  was  told,  calls  once  each  day  and  prescribes 
for  the  physical  ailments  of  the  inmates,  but  he  does  not  treat  the  mental  infirmities. 
There  has  been  in  the  past  a  ' '  practicante  "  employed  to  assist  the  physician,  but  he 
has  been  recently  discharged. 

The  asylum  should  certainly  command  the  full  time  of  a  reliable  physician  with 
some  knowledge  of  mental  diseases.  He  should  reside  in  the  asylum,  receive  each 
patient,  make  a  record  of  each  case  on  its  reception,  classify  the  case,  and  in  case  of 
death  make  an  autopsy. 

At  the  opening  of  the  year  there  were  88  patients  in  the  institution.  There  are  now 
125  patients  present.  With  repairs  made,  25  additional  patients  could  be  accommo- 
dated. The  number  of  deaths  during  1898  was  58,  which  for  the  number  of  patients 
present  was  very  high. 

It  is  recommended  that  repairs  needed  to  increase  the  capacity  of  the  asylum  be 
made  as  soon  as  possible;  that  a  resident  physician  be  installed  at  once;  and  that  the 
sisters,  who  are-now  in  charge  and  who  seem  efficient  and  trustworthy,  be  continued 
undisturbed  in  their  position. 

GEORGE  G.  GROFF. 

Maj.  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Chief  Surgeon,  Department  of  Porto  Rico, 


36   REPOKT  OF  SUPEEIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

KEPORT   ON    BY-LAWS   FOR   GOVERNMENT   OF   THE   BOARD. 

ARTICLE  I. — Duties  of  officers. 

SEC.  1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  the  meetings  of  the  board,  preserve  order r 
and  perform  such  other  duties  as  custom  and  parliamentary  usage  require.  He  shall 
be,  ex  officio,  a  member  of  all  committees. 

SEC.  2.  The  secretary-treasurer  shall  keep  the  records  and  conduct  the  correspond- 
ence of  the  board.  He  shall  be  custodian  of  all  books,  documents,  furniture,  and 
other  property  belonging  to  the  board.  He  shall  give  proper  and  timely  notice  in 
writing  of  every  regular  and  called  meeting  to  each  member  of  the  board,  and  shall, 
as  executive  officer,  perform  such  other  duties  as  are  assigned  by  the  order  estab- 
lishing the  board,  or  by  these  by-laws,  or  as  the  board  may  from  time  to  time  direct. 
All  communications  from  the  secretary  of  the  board  shall  be  in  writing. 

SEC.  3.  He  shall  keep  in  a  separate  book  a  strict  account  of  all  moneys  received  and 
paid  out.  He  shall  pay  money  only  on  order  of  the  board.  At  the  end  of  the  fiscal 
year  he  shall  present  to  the  board,  in  writing,  a  statement  of  all  moneys  received,, 
with  their  sources,  and  a  detailed  account  of  all  moneys  expended,  and  shall  make 
such  returns  to  the  auditor  of  the  island  as  may  be  required  by  proper  authority. 

ARTICLE  II. — Meetings. 

SEC.  1.  The  regular  meetings  of  the  board  shall  be  held  on  the  first  Thursday  in 
each  month,  at  8  p.  in. 

At  the  meeting  in  June  the  annual  report  shall  be  adopted,  and  a  public  address 
on  some  sanitary  topic  shall  be  delivered. 

SEC.  2.  Special  meetings  shall  be  called  by  the  president,  at  such  time  and  place 
as  shall  be  designated,  whenever  requested  in  writing  by  three  members  of  the 
board. 

SEC.  3.  A  majority  of  the  members  of  the  board  shall,  at  any  regular,  called,  or 
adjourned  meeting,  organize  and  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business- 

ARTICLE  III. — Order  of  business. 

SEC.  1.  All  meetings  shall  be  called  to  order  at  the  appointed  hour  by  the  president. 
In  the  event  of  his  absence  a  chairman  pro  tempore  shall  be  appointed. 

SEC.  2.  At  regular  meetings  the  business  shall  be  conducted  as  follows:  (1)  The 
secretary  shall  register  the  names  of  the  members  present;  (2)  the  minutes  of  the 
last  regular  meeting  shall  be  read;  (3)  the  minutes  of  special  meetings  held  since 
the  last  regular  meeting  shall  be  read;  (4)  report  of  the  secretary;  (5)  reports  of 
standing  committees;  (6)  reports  of  special  committees;  (7)  unfinished  business;  (8) 
new  business;  (9)  adjournment. 

At  special  meetings  the  following  shall  be  the  order  of  business:  (1)  Registration 
of  names  of  members  present;  (2)  reading  of  minutes,  if  called  for;  (3)  presentation 
of  special  subject;  (4)  presentation  of  accounts;  (5)  adjournment. 

ARTICLE  IV. — Annual  report  of  the  secretary. 

The  secretary  shall,  at  the  meeting  in  July,  make  a  full  report  of  his  official  acts 
during  the  year  ending  June  30  preceding,  and  accompany  the  same  with  recom- 
mendation of  such  measures  as  he  shall  deem  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  the 
public  health  and  the  faithful  execution  of  the  law;  and  this  report  shall  constitute 
the  basis  of  the  report  of  the  board  to  be  presented  to  the  governor. 

ARTICLE  V. — Standing  committees. 

SEC.  1.  The  following  standing  committees  shall  be  appointed  by  the  president  of 
the  board  at  the  meeting  in  July  of  each  year: 

I.  An  executive  committee  to  have  charge  of  sanitary  rules,  regulations,  legisla- 
tion, and  finances. 

II.  A  committee  on  public  water  supplies,  drainage,  sewerage,  public  institutions, 
and  school  hygiene. 

III.  A  committee  on  registration  and  vital  statistics;  trades  and  occupations  preju- 
dicial to  public  health;  licenses  and  permits;  all  nuisances  and  offensive  industries; 
tenement  houses;  street  cleaning;  cemeteries;  and  disinfection. 

IV.  A  committee  on  inspection  of   foods   and  drinks,  drugs,  poisons,  explosives, 
and  other  special  sources  of  danger  to  life  and  person. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        37 

V.  A  committee  on  the  regulation  of  the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery,  phar- 
macy, dentistry,  midwifery,  embalming,  and  undertaking. 

VI.  A  committee  on  preventable  and  communicable  diseases,  diseases  of  domestic 
animals  communicable  to  man,  vaccine  station,  and  vaccination;  interior  quarantine. 

SEC.  2.  Such  papers,  communications,  or  other  matter  received  by  the  secretary 
as  he  may  deem  proper  for  the  purpose,  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  chairman  of  the 
appropriate  committee,  after  filing  the  titles  and  memoranda,  which  shall  be  recorded 
in  the  secretary's  office. 

SEC.  3.  All  reports  of  committees  shall  be  in  writing. 

ARTICLE  VI. — Finances. 

SEC.  1.  All  accounts  against  the  board  shall  be  filed  with  the  secretary-treasurer, 
and  may.  be  presented  at  any  meeting  of  the  board,  when  they  shall  be  acted  upon 
in  open  session;  and  all  accounts  allowed  shall  be  indorsed  "approved  by  order  of 
the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Kico,"  and  shall  be  indorsed  by  the  presi- 
dent and  secretary. 

SEC.  2.  The  secretary  shall  record,  in  a  book  reserved  for  that  purpose,  all  accounts 
of  expenditures  ordered  or  made  by  the  board  and  its  several  members,  and  shall, 
before  presenting  any  bill,  account,  or  voucher  to  the  insular  treasurer,  cause  a  copy 
of  the  same  to  be  recorded,  and  shall  have  stamped  upon  such  voucher,  account,  or 
bill  the  audit  and  date,  as  the  executive  committee  shall  provide. 

ARTICLE  VII. — Executive  committee. 

SEC.  1.  The  executive  committee  shall  consist  of  the  president  of  the  board  and 
the  representative  of  the  United  States  Marine-Hospital  Service,  and  of  the  United 
States  Navy,  upon  the  board,  including  the  secretary  of  the  board,  who  shall  be 
secretary  of  the  committee. 

SEC.  2.  It  shall  have  the  general  supervision  of  the  work  of  the  board,  including 
its  finances,  purchases,  expenses,  and  publications  of  the  board. 

SEC.  3.  It  shall  hold  meetings  as  often  as  it  shall  deem  necessary,  and  shall  meet  at 
the  call  of  the  chairman. 

ARTICLE  VIII. — Rules  of  order. 

In  conducting  the  business  of  the  meetings  of  the  board,  the  parliamentary  rules 
governing  similar  boards  in  the  United  States  shall  be  adopted,  so  far  as  they  are 
applicable  to  the  deliberations. 

ARTICLE  IX. — Seal. 

The  seal  of  the  board  shall  be  circular  in  shape,  bearing  on  the  circumference  the 
words  "Superior  Board  of  Health  of  Porto  Rico.  1899.  Salus  populi  suprema lex," 
and  in  the  center  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  island. 

ARTICLE  X. — Amendments. 

These  by-laws  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any  regular  meeting  of  the  board  by 
a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present. 
Presented  by  the  president. 
JULY  6,  1899. 

COMMITTEE  TO  REPORT  ON  CONDITION  AND  NEEDS  OP  THE  INSANE  ASYLUM. 

In  compliance  with  directions  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  "  To  inspect  and 
report  on  the  condition  of  the  insane  asylum  at  San  Juan,"  we  have  the  honor  to 
state  as  follows: 

1.  The  insane  asylum  has  been,  and  is  still  being,  administered  jointly  with  the 
orphan  asylum.     Supplies  are  received  by  the  sisters  for  both  institutions  and  issued 
from  the  common  storeroom.     Besides  this,  they  have  in  common  a  dispensary  and 
the  medical  staff,  consisting  of  one  physician  hi  charge,  who  is  at  the  same  time  the 
apothecary  of  the  institution. 

2.  The  present  number  of  inmates  of  the  institution  is  as  follows:  Fifty-eight  males 
and  67  females,  a  total  of  125,  who  are  being  cared  for  by  4  sisters  for  the  female 


38   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

insane  and  5  attendants  for  the  male  insane.     The  capacity  is  for  60  males  and  70 
females. 

3.  The  male  and  female  patients  are  kept  completely  separate,  each  side  having  its 
own  court.     The  communicating  doors  were  found  locked  and  well  secured. 

4.  The  corridors,  dormitories,  and  verandas  were  found  clean.     The  beds  and  bed- 
ding that  were  inspected  were  clean,  and  showed  no  signs  of  vermin.     It  was  stated 
by  the  physician  in  charge  that  there  were  no  bedbugs  in  the  house. 

5.  It  was  stated  to  us  that  there  were  many  applications  for  the  admission  of  insane 
people  into  the  institution,  but  for  lack  of  room  none  could  be  considered  at  present. 

6.  In  the  men's  part  of  the  building  one  entire  wing  has  been  in  ruins  since  the 
bombardment  by  Admiral  Sampson's  fleet;  this  wing  comprised  one  dormitory  and 
several  cells  for  unmanageable  cases. 

7.  The  dormitories  are  large  wards  filled  with  beds,  which  in  some  places  are  so 
close  together  that  a  person  can  barely  pass  between  them.     The  dimensions  of  the 
rooms  were  not  taken,  nor  was  the  cubic  content  ascertained.     There  were  counted  in 
one  ward  22  beds,  in  another  26  (these  in  the  men's  wards),  and  a  third  one  contained 
31  beds  (in  the  female  ward). 

8.  In  some  occupied  parts  of  the  building  the  flooring  was  rotten;  in  other  parts  it 
had  been  roughly  patched. 

9.  The  "latrines"  are  of  Spanish  style  and  there  are  no  flushing  arrangements. 
The  water  used  for  scrubbing  and  cleaning  these  places  has  to  be  carried  by  buckets 
from  the  court-yard  cisterns. 

10.  The  bathroom  is  of  the  most  primitive  construction;  a  large  stone  bath  tub,, 
built  below  the  level  of  the  floor,  and  most  unsuitable  for  the  bathing  of  helpless 
patients,  and  a  few  barrels  filled  with  water  comprise  the  outfit. 

11.  The  kitchen  is  large  and  clean;  the  food  appeared  substantial  and  well  cooked. 
The  water  used  for  the  kitchen  is  carried  by  bucket  from  the  cistern. 

12.  The  drains  lead  from  the  various  parts  of  the  building  into  the  bay.     They  were 
not  inspected. 

13.  All  the  water  used  for  drinking  purposes  is  filtered  through  Pasteur  filters. 

14.  The  tractable  patients  in  the  institution  are  employed  in  the  cleaning  of  the 
various  parts.     The  females  help  in  the  laundry  and  kitchen. 

The  urgent  needs  of  the  institution  are: 

(1)  Adequate  water  supply,  which  should  be  attained  by  making  connections  with 
city  water  supply;  (2)  proper  lavatory,  bathroom,  and  water-closets,  with  flushing 
arrangements  and  sanitary  drains;  (3)  repairs  to  the  cistern  pump,  windmill,  and 
tank;  (4)  rebuilding  of  the  dormitory  in  the  wing  of  the  male  patients;  (5)  repair  to 
rotten  floors,  wherever  necessary;  (6)  separate  administration  from  orphan  asylum; 
(7)  separate  dispensary;  (8)  a  medical  staff,  with  resident  physician,  receiving  ade- 
quate remuneration;  (9)  increase  in  the  number  of  attendants  for  both  sides. 

F.  W.  F.  WlEBER. 

JULY  6, 1900. 
COMMITTEE  TO  ASCERTAIN  THE  PRACTICABILITY  OF  MOVING  INSANE  ASYLUM  TO  SANTURCE 

Your  committee  called  upon  the  rector  of  the  "  Escuela  Pia  "  July  7  and  laid  before 
him  the  plan  proposed  by  the  superior  board  of  health  at  its  last  meeting,  July  6. 
He  answered  as  follows: 

"I  accept  on  general  principles  the  idea  of  the  transfer  of  the  college  to  the  capital. 
However,  I  can  not  take  any  steps  in  that  direction  without  a  given  order  from  my 
superiors  in  Spain.  I  personally  favor  the  plan  and  shall  be  glad  to  take  with  me  on 
my  proposed  visit  to  Spain,  leaving  San  Juan  July  14,  the  offer  of  the  exchange,  pro- 
viding that  a  building,  suitable  for  our  school  purposes,  giving  us  the  necessary  room 
for  the  boarding  of  our  pupils  and  the  instructors,  and  being  fitted  up  for  our  purposes, 
be  given  in  exchange." 

During  the  conversation  the  rector  stated  that  the  only  suitable  Government  build- 
ing which  he  knew  of  was  the  old  building  next  to  the  San  Jose  church,  which  is 
used  now  by  the  supreme  court  and  also  in  part  as  the  army  medical  supply  depot. 

We  consider  the  grounds  and  buildings  of  the  "Escuela  Pia"  at  Santurce  well 
situated  for  the  purpose  of  an  insane  asylum.  The  property  extends  quite  a  distance 
behind  the  building,  an  area  of  180,000  square  meters.  There  is  enough  slope  to  the 
ground  to  permit  of  good  drainage,  the  water  main  is  handy,  and  the  building 
appears  substantial. 

(Signed)  F.  W.  F.  WIEBER,  M.  D. 

JULY  10,  1899. 


THE   LEPER   HOSPITAL,   SAN   JUAN. 


THREE   WOMEN    LEPERS— MOTHER   AND  TWO   DAUGHTERS. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        39 

COMMITTEE   TO   REPORT   ON   CONDITION   OF    LEPER   ASYLUM. 

In  accordance  with  the  resolution  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  adopted  July 
9,  1899,  "that  a  committee  of  one  be  appointed  to  make  a  report  on  the  present  con- 
dition of  the  leper  asylum,  what  improvements  are  necessary,"  etc.,  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  chairman,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report: 

During  the  early  part  of  the  past  winter,  when  a  house  to  house  inspection  of 
San  Juan  was  made  by  the  local  military  board  of 'health,  of  which  I  was  an  advisory 
member,  a  number  of  cases  of  leprosy  was  discovered  concealed  in  different  parts 
of  the  city  in  crowded  tenements,  and  in  some  instances,  which  I  personally  observed, 
where  laundering,  and  other  work  was  taken  in  from  American  residents. 

It  was  also  ascertained  that  before  the  war  a  number  of  these  unfortunates  were 
collected  in  a  rough  frame  building  located  immediately  in  the  rear  of  the  jail,  within 
the  city  limits,  near  a  number  of  inhabited  cottages,  and  adjoining  low  marsh  lands. 

As  a  pressing  temporary  measure,  these  cases  were  collected  and  returned  to  this 
crude  asylum  until  better  isolation  and  quarters  could  be  obtained.  These  proletaires 
were  necessarily  a  public  charge,  rations  were  issued  them  and  a  keeper  appointed 
to  reside  at  and  oversee  the  place.  There  are  now  14  cases  collected  in  this  building, 
8  males  and  6  females. 

A  few  cases  have  been  transferred  here  from  Ponce,  and  the  estimate  is  that  there 
are  about  fifty  cases  upon  the  island. 

It  may  be  stated  briefly  that  leprosy  occurs  at  all  ages;  that  it  is  a  bacterial  dis- 
ease; that  it  is  contagious  by  inoculation,  and  that  bad  food,  constant  fish  diet,  and 
crowded  surroundings  predispose  to  the  disease. 

The  geographical  distribution  of  leprosy  is  extensive.  It  is  found  in  the  West 
Indies,  the  islands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  in  Madeira,  South  America,  Mexico,  Louis- 
iana, California,  British  Columbia,  Minnesota,  and  New  Brunswick,  where  a  large 
colony  exists. 

Without  discussing  whether  leprosy  is  a  contagious  or  infectious  disease  or  its 
method  of  propagation,  it  is  declared  a  quarantinable  disease  by  the  quarantine  laws 
and  regulations  of  the  United  States;  also  careful  observation  shows  its  spread  in 
communities  where  the  leper  is  not  isolated. 

In  the  Sandwich  Islands  it  was  noticed  amongst  the  natives  in  1859  and  traced 
back  to  1848.  It  spread  rapidly,  and  in  1865  there  were  230  known  lepers  in  a  pop- 
ulation of  67,000.  By  1891  the  native  population  diminished  to  44,232.  Of  these 
1,500  were  lepers,  or  one  to  every  thirty  of  the  population. 

In  New  Caledonia  it  was  unknown  until  1865.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  intro- 
duced by  a  Chinaman  who  was  well  known.  Its  rapid  diffusion  throughout  the 
island  has  been  traced  step  by  step,  and  in  1888  the  lepers  numbered  4,000.  (Man- 
son,  Tropical  Diseases,  1898. ) 

Leprosy  never  makes  its  appearance  unless  introduced  by  a  leper,  and  the  leper 
must  be  regarded  as  a  source  of  danger  to  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  Facts 
are  stubborn  things,  and  the  only  way  to  suppress  the  disease  is  by  thorough 
isolation. 

The  present  location  of  the  leper  hospital,  in  a  single  rough  building  in  the  rear  of 
the  jail  and  within  the  city  limits,  is  totally  unfit  for  the  purpose,  and  a  menace  to 
this  community. 

In  looking  over  the  field  for  a  site  for  the  proper  isolation  of  these  afflicted  outcasts, 
the  essentials  were  considered  to  be: 

1.  Their  complete  separation  from  inhabited  districts. 

2.  A  location  where  pure  air,  water,  and  exercise  could  be  obtained. 

3.  Where  a  quantity  of  arable  ground  could  be  found  suitable  for  fruits,  truck  gar- 
dening, support  of  goats,  fowls,  etc. ,  and  thus  conduce  to  their  self-support,  content- 
ment, and  happiness. 

One  of  the  small  islands  lying  off  the  coast  of  Porto  Kico  naturally  suggested  itself, 
and  after  a  preliminary  inquiry  and  inspection,  the  small  uninhabited  island  or  cay 
of  San  Luis  was  considered  a  good  location  for  this  purpose. 

This  island  is  situated  in  18°  18X  north  and  59°  8'  west  of  Greenwich,  just  off  the 
east  coast  of  the  island  of  Porto  Rico;  it  is  80  miles  from  San  Juan  by  water,  about 
150  miles  from  Ponce,  and  near  by  to  the  island  of  Culebra.  I  spent  a  day  and  acci- 
dentally a  night  upon  this  island,  making  an  investigation  of  its  fitness  for  the  purpose 
intended,  sleeping  upon  the  ground  under  a  tarpaulin,  because  the  transport  Slocum 
failed  to  return  in  the  afternoon  to  pick  us  up. 

It  contains  a  total  area  of  about  400  acres,  and  between  two  steep  rises  of  over  200 
feet  there  is  a  bottom  level  of  over  40  acres  of  arable  land  covered  with  thick  under- 
growth and  some  fair-sized  trees. 

A  fresh-water  run  makes  down  one  of  the  rises  to  this  level,  which  could  be 


40   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

impounded  and  a  supply  of  fresh  water  secured.  There  are  beach  landings  on  the 
north  and  east  sides;  on  the  former  an  inexpensive  rough  dock  could  be  constructed 
with  bowlders  and  stones  near  by.  Timber  is  sufficient  for  fire  and  other  purposes. 
Wild  parrots  are  present  in  considerable  number,  and  fish  and  turtle  are  abundant. 

Taken  altogether  the  island  is  considered  suitable  for  the  location  of  a  leper  colony, 
where  they  could  be  properly  and  comfortably  isolated  at  less  expense  than  at  the 
present  site. 

At  this  time  it  is  not  considered  necessary  to  erect  buildings  of  an  expensive  char- 
acter, but  to  house  them  in  modest  cottages,  with  due  regard  to  age  and  sex,  and 
having  inclosed  patches  of  ground  for  cultivation. 

Bearing  in  mind  that  expensive  buildings  are  out  of  the  question  at  the  present 
time,  but  that  the  colony  can  be  maintained  upon  Luis  Pena  Island  at  no  greater 
public  charge  than  at  their  present  location,  the  following  recommendations  are 
made: 

First.  That  the  fresh- water  supply  be  exactly  determined  by  sinking  two  or  three 
driven  wells  to  ascertain  the  character  of  the  surface  water.  Also  to  decide  the 
amount  of  impounding  necessary  to  collect  a  water  supply  at  different  levels  in  the 
rocky  draw,  which  could  be  piped  to  required  places  by  natural  fall. 

Second.  The  water  supply  proving  sufficient,  a  rough  stone  landing  should  be  con- 
structed upon  the  east-side  beach  for  small  boats  and  lighters,  using  the  bowlders 
near  at  hand. 

Third.  After  marking  all  fair-sized  trees  suitable  and  desirable  for  retention,  the 
bottom  tract  of  about  40  acres  should  be  slashed  and  grubbed  from  beach  to  beach, 
thus  giving  a  clear  building  site  and  free  ventilation  from  shore  to  shore.  If  convict 
labor  can  be  employed  upon  this  work  the  expense  need  not  be  very  great. 

Finally.  It  is  estimated  that  with  the  services  of  convict  labor  the  clearing  of  the 
grounds,  erection  of  temporary  buildings,  etc.,  the  cost  of  housing  the  leper  colony 
upon  San  Luis  Island  would  be  about  $5,000. 

A.  H.  GLENNAN. 

JULY  17,  1899. 

COMMITTEE  ON  INSANE  ASYLUM. 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  superior  board  of  health  "to 
report  and  submit  estimates  on  (1)  the  necessary  changes  in  connection  with  the 
insane  asylum,  (2)  the  plan  to  change  its  location  to  the  present  Escuela  Pia, 
in  Santurce,  and  (3)  plans  for  a  new  site  somewhere  on  this  island,"  has  the  honor 
to  report  as  follows : 

At  the  present  institution,  which  under  any  conditions  will  have  to  be  used  as  a 
home  for  the  insane  for  some  time  to  come  yet,  the  following  changes  and  additions 
are  necessary: 

1.  Connection  with  the  city  water  main  in  order  to  supply  ample  water  for  proper 
cleaning  and  flushing. 

2.  A  new  small  annex  building  on  either  side  of  the  chapel  wing  and  its  northern 
end  to  contain  12  automatic  self -flushing  water-closets,  2  lavatories,  and  2  bath- 
rooms. 

3.  The  drains  from  the  annex,  also  the  surface  drains  from  the  court,  require  con- 
nection with  the  military  sewer. 

4.  The  destroyed  ward  in  that  part  of  the  building  which  is  used  by  the  male 
insane  must  be  rebuilt  to  relieve  the  crowded  condition  of  the  wards. 

5.  The  rotten  flooring  in  the  basements  of  both  wings  -is  to  be  replaced  by  pine 
flooring,  tongued  and  grooved,  and  this  painted  over  with  oil  paint  to  make  it  imper- 
vious as  much  as  possible  to  the  excreta  of  the  confined  uncontrollable  inmates 

6.  A  concrete  open  drain  back  of  the  cells,  properly  graded  with  flushing  facilities 
by  means  of  hose  attachments,  and  connected  with  the  sewer. 

7.  Minor  repairs  to  the  outside  of  the  building  where  it  has  been  struck  by  shells 
during  the  bombardment  of  the  city. 

8.  There  is  no  available  space  allowing  of  expansion. 

The  estimated  cost  of  the  work  recommended  is  about  $6,000. 

It  is  intended  by  these  changes  merely  to  tide  over  the  period  necessary  to  supply 
a  better  place  for  the  insane  and  during  this  time  to  put  the  asylum  into  the  best 
possible  hygienic  condition. 

The  report  and  estimate  on  the  plan  to  acquire  the  Escuela  Pia  at  Santurce  involves 
the  following  points: 

1.  To  change  this  building  from  one  fitted  up  for  school  purposes  to  one  suited  for 
an  insane  asylum. 

2.  To  provide  another  public  building  in  the  city  of  San  Juan,  in  exchange  for  the 
above  school  and  fit  it  up  for  school  purposes. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        41 

As  the  building  asked  for  in  exchange  is  in  Government  use,  and  as  it  is  doubtful  if 
the  transfer  could  be  made,  and  as  the  conditions  of  transfer  are  too  indefinite,  and 
have  to  be  decided  in  Spain  by  the  superior  of  the  order  by  which  it  is  leased,  the 
committee  could  not  see  their  way  clear  to  estimate  on  the  proposition. 

To  estimate  on  a  modern  insane  asylum  to  be  built  up  "  de  novo." 

The  plan  proposed  is  figured  on  an  estimate  of  about  240  insane.  The  committee 
consider  that  about  100  acres  of  land  are  required  to  place  the  institution  on  a  modern 
footing.  The  location  should  be  preferably  near  a  town  or  city,  so  that  provisions 
can  be  easily  obtained  and  so  that  labor  and  material  are  at  hand,  when  required. 

To  accommodate  the  given  number  of  patients  it  is  proposed  to  build  12  one-story 
pavillions  consisting  of  2  wards,  and  being  under  the  charge  of  2  nurses,  with  bath 
and  water-closet  arrangements.  Estimated  cost,  60,000  pesos. 

3.  A  central  administration  building,  large  enough  to  contain  kitchen,  separate 
dining  rooms,  storerooms  in  the  basement,  offices,  reading  rooms,  social  hall,  etc.,  on 
the  first  floor,  and  the  living  rooms  of  the  employees  and  nurses  on  the  second  floor. 
Approximate  cost,  30,000  pesos. 

4.  A  hospital  with  male  and  female  wards,  large  enough  to  accommodate  60 
patients,  containing  cell  rooms  in  the  basement,  fitted  up  according  to  modern  ideas, 
for  40,000  pesos. 

5.  A  residence  for  the  medical  officer  in  charge  for  10,000  pesos. 

6.  A  steam  laundry,  a  boiler  house  with  two  boilers,  an  electric-light  plant,  steam 
pumps  for  all  purposes.     Approximate  cost,  about  12,000  pesos. 

7.  A  small  chapel,  about  2,000  pesos. 

These  estimates  must  of  necessity  be  very  rough  ones,  but  we  believe  that  the  sum 
total  will  not  be  very  far  from  the  actual  figures. 

Neither  the  water'supply  nor  the  question  of  sewerage  has  been  entered  into,  as 
these  questions  depend  upon  local  conditions. 

The  employment  of  the  insane  on  farms  or  in  workshops  is  left  for  future  consid- 
erations. 

F.  W.  F.  WlEBER. 

JULY  18,  1899. 

The  following  estimate  of  expenses  for  repairs  to  Manicomio  is  attached  to  above 
committee  report: 

Pesos. 

Wall  demolition 72 

Wall  reconstruction 1, 120 

Roof  reconstruction 165 

Pitch  pine  flooring 1,  375 

Latrines  and  baths,  new  buildings: 

Masonry 1,  764 

Cement  flooring 288 

Brick  roofing 198 

Plastering 126 

Doors  and  windows,  painting 120 


Total 5,228 

In  American  currency,  $3,136.80. 

Plumbing,  water  supply,  sewerage: 

2  6-stall,  enameled-iron,  automatic-flush  closets;  4  iron  enamel  auto- 
matic-flush closets;  4  iron  baths;  4  kitchen  sinks;  4  slop  sinks;  4 
shower  baths;  3  urinals;  100  feet  fire  hose;  200  feet  2-inch  fire  line, 
iron  pipe  from  city  main,  with  two  connections  for  hose,  fixtures 
to  be  set  up  complete,  with  connections  to  sewer  and  water  main..  $2, 177.  00 
Total  cost,  American  currency,  $5,313.80. 

PAUL  LE  HARDY,  Engineer. 

REPORT   OF   THE   EXECUTIVE   COMMITTEE. 

During  July  this  committee  held  four  meetings.  At  each  meeting  all  the  members 
were  present.  On  July  25  an  estimate  of  expenses  of  the  superior  board  of  health 
for  the  current  month,  amounting  to  $328,  was  adopted.  At  the  same  meeting  an 
estimate  of  the  expenses  of  the  leper  asylum  for  July,  amounting  to  $182,  was 
adopted. 

It  was  agreed  at  this  meeting  that  the  services  of  the  barber  at  the  leper  asylum 


42   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

should  be  discontinued.  It  was  agreed  that  all  payments  of  salaries  by  this  board 
be  in  United  States  currency,  without  any  increase  in  present  rates  of  payment. 

It  was  agreed  that  professional  nurses  be  added  to  the  list  of  persons  to"  be  licensed 
by  this  board  on  presentation  of  proper  diplomas  and  certificates  or  testimonials. 
Several  applications  for  admission  to  the  insane  asylum  were  considered.  A  report 
on  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  Beneficencia,  by  Chaplain  Henry  A  Brown,  was 
received,  indorsed,  and  referred  to  the  commanding  general. 

It  was  agreed  that  for  the  present  the  meetings  of  the  executive  committee  should 
be  held  at  4  p.  m.  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays,  and  Fridays. 

At  this  meeting  a  monthly  schedule  of  wages  to  be  paid  at  the  insane  asylum,, 
amounting  to  $485,  was  adopted  as  follows: 

Attending  physician $100 

Practicante 50 

1  chief  attendant 35 

1  assistant  to  chief  attendant 30 

7  Sisters  of  Charity,  at  $15 105 

3  first-class  assistants,  at  $25 75 

3  second-class  assistants,  at  $20 60 

3  servants,  at  $10 30 

An  estimate  of  the  expense  of  the  insane  asylum  for  July  was  adopted,  amounting 
to  $1,072.63.  .  The  secretary  was  authorized  to  secure  proposals  for  printing  the  reg- 
ulations of  the  board.  The  president  of  the  board  was  requested  to  secure  the 
authority  of  the  governor-general  to  employ  Mr.  F.  H.  Janes,  architect,  to  draw 
plans,  make  estimates,  and  supervise  repairs  to  insane  asylum. 

The  secretary  was  authorized  to  notify  Dr.  Nater,  city  physician,  that  the  superior 
board  of  health  would  in  the  future  pay  him  $24  per  month  for  his  services  at  the 
leper  asylum. 

Mr.  F.  H.  Janes,  architect,  was  present  at  this  meeting  and  discussed  with  the 
committee  plans  for  repairs  of  the  insane  asylum. 

At  this  meeting  reports  of  the  committees  on  the  lunatic  and  leper  asylums  were 
considered.  The  meeting  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  call  of  the  president. 

AUGUST  3,  1899. 

COMMITTEE  ON  BACTERIOLOGICAL  INSTITUTE. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  superior  board  of  health  to  report  on  the  biolog- 
ical or  serotherapeutic  institute,  as  treated  of  in  various  papers,  plans,  and  indorse 
ments  submitted,  have  the  honor  to  report  as  follows: 

1.  We  consider  that  an  institution  of  this  kind  is  necessary  in  localities  in  which 
from  the  frequency  of  special  diseases,  such  as  rabies,  diphtheria,  tetanus,  smallpox, 
etc. ,  an  actual  want  of  antitoxines  of  special  virus  exists. 

2.  No  definite  data  are  available  showing  the  special  prevalence  of  any  of  the  above- 
mentioned  diseases,  except  in  the  case  of  smallpox.    For  the  past  year  only  two  cases 
of  rabies  have  come  to  the  attention  of  the  chief  surgeon  of  the  army. 

3.  We  find  that  antitoxines  from  reliable  sources  can  be  obtained  upon  the  island 
for  the  following  diseases:  Diphtheria,  tetanus,  and  septicaemia — it  is  true,  at  consid- 
erable expense.     A  vaccine  farm  will  be  established  by  the  superior  board  of  health, 
which  will  furnish  all  the  virus  required  by  the  island.     It  is  impossible  to  procure 
virus  for  the  treatment  of  rabies,  this  being,  therefore,  the  only  disease  of  this  class 
not  provided  for. 

4.  Rabies  is  an  extremely  rare  disease,  as  is  shown  by  the  following  figures:  Dulles 
was  able  to  collect  only  78  cases  of  this  disease  in  the  United  States  for  the  period  of 
five  and  one-half  years,  from  1887  to  1893. 

5.  We  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  proposed  ' '  institute ' '  can  not  be  considered  a 
pressing  necessity  on  this  island  at  the  present  time,  and  we  do  not  advise  any 
expenditure  of  public  funds  in  that  direction. 

6.  All  papers  submitted  are  herewith  returned. 

F.  W.  F.  WIEBER. 
RICARDO  HERNANDEZ. 
GABRIEL  FERRER. 

COMMITTEE  ON  GARBAGE  DUMP  FOR  SAN  JUAN. 

The  undersigned  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  subject  of  the  garbage  dump 
for  the  city  of  San  Juan,  begs  leave  to  submit  the  following  report: 

Prior  to  the  American  occupation  this  city  had  a  contract  to  haul  away  the  garbage 
for  8,000  pesos  per  annum.  This  was  accomplished  by  means  of  ox  carts,  and  the 


REPORT  OF  SUPEKIOK    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        43 

refuse  was  dumped  upon  private  property  between  the  city  and  Martin  Pena.  This 
slow  process  resulted  in  open  carts  proceeding  along  the  military  road  at  all  times  of 
the  dayT'scattering  refuse  along  the  only  highway  leading  from  the  city,  making 
a  trail  of  odors  and  an  unsightly  condition  of  affairs.  The  city  is  now  compara- 
tively free  from  flies,  whereas  under  this  former  primitive  method  these  pests  were 
abundant. 

After  the  establishment  of  the  local  military  board  of  health  a  sea- water  dump  was 
improvised  upon  the  ocean  side  of  the  island  east  of  San  Cristobal.  A  shorter  haul, 
quicker  disposal,  and  the  lesser  of  two  evils  resulted.  This  method  prevails  at  the 
present  time,  and  14  Government  wagons,  with  drivers  and  mules,  are  in  daily  use 
upon  this  work  without  expense  to  the  city,  which  from  a  commercial  point  of  view 
may  be  estimated  at  a  value  of  at  least  $40  per  diem  to  the  municipality. 

It  will  therefore  be  seen  that  if  the  city  should  return  to  the  old  system  of  private 
contract  for  the  work,  there  must  necessarily  be  an  interest  in  securing  this  garbage 
for  filling  and  fertilizing  waste  land,  to  the  detriment  of  the  general  health  and  com- 
fort of  citizens  and  visitors.  It  will  also  operate  against  the  future  commercial  devel- 
opment of  the  capital,  will  prevent  moneyed  investments  in  the  place,  and  wealthy 
winter  visitors  will  be  driven  away  from  a  locality  where  crude  and  insanitary 
methods  are  adopted. 

There  remain  three  ways  for  the  disposal  of  garbage  and  the  contents  of  cesspools: 

The  objection  to  the  present  dumping  site  is  that  some  refuse,  as  old  tin  cans, 
broken  glassware,  etc. ,  litters  the  beach  formerly  used  for  bathing  purposes,  and  at 
times  some  odor  prevails  in  the  locality.  This  is  true,  and  your  committee  sought 
another  site  for  a  shore  tide- water  dump,  but  without  success.  Even  if  a  location 
was  obtainable  near  the  old  cemetery,  the  steep  haul  contraindicates  it. 

Second.  The  loading  of  barges  and  towing  out  of  the  harbor  is  mechanically  prac- 
ticable, but  in  this  tropical  climate  is  objectionable  any  where  along  the  limited  water 
front  on  account  of  delays  in  loading,  storms,  and  towage  ensuing,  foul  odors,  flies, 
etc.  This  method  is  also  expensive  and  has  recently  been  condemned  by  the  gov- 
ernor and  health  department  of  New  York. 

The  third  alternative  is  by  cremation.  This  is  the  modern  scientific  method  and 
now  in  practical  use  in  a  number  of  the  cities  of  the  size  of  San  Juan.  The  amount 
of  material  to  be  handled  here  will  at  no  time  exceed  30  tons  per  diem.  We  are 
informed  that  what  is  called  a  15  to  20  ton  apparatus  will  consume  this  amount  with 
some  time  to  spare  in  the  twenty-four  hours,  and  that  this  capacity  will  answer  the 
purpose  of  San  Juan  for  years  to  come. 

After  the  first  cost  of  a  crematory  the  running  expense  is  comparatively  little.  It 
is  a  fair  business  proposition  even  for  a  stock  company,  and  the  municipality  of  San 
Juan  should  undertake  it  for  the  development  of  the  capital  and  as  an  example  to 
other  large  cities  upon  the  island. 

A.  H.  GLENNAN. 
RICARDO  HERNANDEZ. 

AUGUST  16,  1899. 

COMMITTEE  TO  EXAMINE  INTO  FITNESS  OF  BEEF  FROM  PREGNANT  COWS  FOR  USE  AS  FOOD. 

Your  special  committee,  appointed  August  24,  to  examine  into  the  fitness  for  human 
food  of  beef  from  pregnant  cows  respectfully  begs  to  submit  its  report  as  follows: 

Such  beef  is  not  forbidden  by  the  laws  of  the  States  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania, 
Maine,  Wisconsin,  Kentucky,  or  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  of  the  Province  of 
Quebec  and  Dominion  of  Canada.  The  writer,  in  his  experience  as  a  health  officer, 
never  had  his  attention  called  to  any  law  in  any  State  as  to  the  unwholesomeness  of 
such  beef. 

In  the  Treatise  on  Hygiene,  by  J.  J.  Notter  and  R.  H.  Firth,  the  following  reference 
is  made  to  the  subject: 

"  Carcasses  of  animals  slaughtered  before,  during,  or  immediately  after  parturition 
are  not  necessarily  unfit  for  food.  If  there  is  evidence  of  extravasation  or  inflamma- 
tion of  the  pelvic  cavity,  and  the  flesh  elsewhere  is  pale  and  livid  and  ill-set,  it 
should  be  condemned.  But  if  it  be  a  case  of  abnormal  presentation,  and  the  animal 
is  slaughtered  and  properly  bled  and  dressed,  the  flesh  may  be  perfectly  fit  for 
consumption." 

No  other  reference  could  be  found  on  the  subject,  either  in  English  or  Spanish 
books. 

Your  committee  believes  that  the  regulation  existing  in  Porto  Rico  at  present  against 
slaughtering  pregnant  animals  is  based  on  economic  grounds  rather  than  sanitary. 

G.  G.  GROFF. 

AUGUST  26,  1899 


44   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

COMMITTEE   ON   ADVISABILITY   OF    CONVERTING   SAN   FRANCISCO   BARRACKS   INTO  A  JAIL. 

Your  special  committee  appointed  to  make  an  examination  of  San  Francisco 
Barracks  respectfully  submits  the  following  report: 

These  barracks  are  situated  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  city  of  San  Juan,  bounded 
by  the  Calles  Luna,  Tamarindo,  Tanca,  and  San  Francisco,  all  these  streets  having 
different  grades,  with  Luna  as  high  as  the  second  floor  of  rear  building,  abutting  the 
walls,  causing  dampness  and  mold. 

Facing  San  Francisco  street  are  the  old  church  and  chapel  of  the  same  name,  with 
a  more  recent  public  building  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  block.  These  barracks 
were  originally  constructed  by  the  order  of  the  San  Francisco  Monks,  in  mediaeval 
style  of  architecture.  The  greater  portion  of  the  work  was  begun  in  1650,  and  com- 

Eleted  by  1680.  It  has  been  somewhat  added  to  since  that  time,  and  was  occupied 
y  the  San  Francisco  Monks  until  1835,  when  the  religious  orders  were  suppressed. 

A  few  years  later  it  was  converted  into  a  military  barracks  under  the  direction  of 
Colonel  Cortigo,  of  the  engineers. 

They  now  consist  of  thick  walls  of  masonry  surrounding  two  inner  courts  and 
archways,  inclosing  numerous  cells  and  dark  rooms.  The  only  sunlight  and  air 
upon  the  ground  floor  was  obtained  by  the  animals  stabled  beneath  the  open 
archways. 

The  ground  floors  are  upon  different  levels,  with  obstructed  drainage,  which  act  as 
catch  basins,  and  the  soil  is  permeated  with  the  excretions  from  the  cesspools  above 
on  Luna  street,  The  whole  structure  is,  a  shell  of  old  walls  and  arches  of  masonry, 
forming  confined  air  spaces.  The  stairways  are  narrow,  broken  down,  tile-and- 
cement  work,  and  the  flooring  consists  of  inferior  rough  patched  boards,  with  their 
edges  and  under  surfaces  stained  from  the  drippings  and  washings  of  years.  With 
the  conditions  given,  which  obtain  in  these  old  barracks  and  grounds,  that  of 
moisture,  mold,  and  absence  of  sunlight  and  air,  and  an  average  temperature  above 
70°  F.  throughout  the  year,  an  ideal  culture  bed  is  formed  for  the  propagation  of 
disease  germs.  This  is  thoroughly  borne  out  in  the  history  of  the  place  during  the 
occupancy  by  the  Spanish  soldiery,  who  afforded  the  nonimmune  material  to  com- 
plete the  facts  in  the  case. 

Dr.  Gabriel  Ferrer,  of  this  committee,  is  personally  cognizant  of  the  origin  and 
development  of  yellow  fever  in  these  quarters,  he  having  been  frequently  called  in 
as  a  consultant.  He  states:  "I  can  affirm,  because  experience  has  taught  me  so, 
that  the  greater  number  of  people  attacked  with  yellow  fever  always  proceeded  from 
the  soldiers  located  in  these  barracks." 

This  is  also  personally  known  to  Dr.  Kicardo  Hernandez.  Cases  were  allowed  to 
remain  until  in  a  desperate  condition,  often  dying  during  removal  to  the  hospital, 
and  the  death  rate  was  as  high  as  47  per  cent,  showing  a  virulent  type  of  the  disease. 

While  the  dictum  may  be  true  that  there  is  no  building  which  can  not  be  disin- 
fected, it  is  equally  true  that  disinfection  does  not  correct  bad  sanitary  structural 
conditions,  which  preeminently  exist  in  the  San  Francisco  Barracks.  Already  this 
season  yellow  fever  has  broken  out  in  several  like  buildings  in  Cuba,  the  last  in  the 
marine  barracks  in  Habana  a  fewr  weeks  ago,  and  it  is  not  possible  to  suppose  that 
they  had  not  been  disinfected  prior  to  occupancy. 

Dismantling,  alterations,  or  repairs  to  buildings  of  this  class  during  the  yellow- 
fever  season  experience  has  shown  is  disastrous  in  the  extreme.  The  United  States 
consul  at  Vera  Cruz  makes  official  report  as  follows:  " Early  in  the  spring  of  last 
year  the  city  council  passed  a  resolution  to  have  owners  of  property  comply  with  an 
ordinance  then  existing  to  repair  and  fix  up  buildings  in  the  city;  hence  they  com- 
menced to  take  out  partitions,  break  down  entire  walls,  remove  roofs,  etc. ,  and  debris 
was  piled  up  in  the  streets  everywhere.  It  was  then  that  yellow  fever  made  its 
appearance,  and  as  the  work  progressed  the  fever  increased,  until  it  is  now  an  epi- 
demic." The  outbreak  of  this  disease  in  Franklin,  La.,  probably  originated  in  the 
dismantling  of  an  old  house  which  had  been  infected  the  previous  year,  and  the 
breaking  up  of  an  old  barge  in  Habana  Harbor  was  followed  by  yellow  fever  in 
the  crew  of  a  vessel  near  by.  Other  instances  could  be  cited  where  yellow  fever  owed 
its  recrudescence  to  the  alteration  and  tearing  down  of  old,  infected  buildings. 

For  these  reasons  your  committee  earnestly  recommends  that  at  the  close  of  the 
present  summer  season,  after  fractional  disinfection,  the  whole  structure  be  dis- 
mantled, available  material  used  for  other  purposes,  the  dry,  clean,  and  disinfected 
debris  utilized  in  grading  and  terracing  the  block,  upon  which  a  top  dressing  could 
be  placed,  and  proper  sewerage  and  drainage  established. 

This  work  should  not  be  undertaken  before  the  expiration  of  ninety  days. 

Your  committee  does  not  believe  that  modern  methods  of  sanitation  and  scientific 
construction  should  be  disregarded  by  any  makeshift  alterations  and  repairs  for  the 
housing  of  prisoners,  aside  from  the  objection  to  bringing  this  class  of  people  into 


EEPOET  OF  SUPEEIOE    BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO.        45 

an  already  overcrowded  city.  Any  collection  of  persons  under  the  circumstances, 
whether  prisoners  or  school  children,  would  be  an  acknowledged  danger  to  the  health 
of  this  communityT 

It  may  be  a  little  out  of  the  province  of  this  report  but  still  a  matter  of  sanitation 
to  state  that  public  air  spaces  are  very  limited  in  San  Juan,  which  is  compactly  built 
and  contains  a  dense  population.  For  this  reason  many  of  its  citizens  wish  the  site 
of  the  San  Francisco  Barracks  converted  into  a  public  park. 

"Mens  sana  in  corpore  sana"  is  also  an  educational  matter. 

Finally,  your  committee  begs  leave  to  state  that  if  this  site  is  reserved  for  public 
purposes  the  only  solution  to  the  question  is  the  dismantling  of  this  old  shell  struc- 
ture and  the  establishment  of  a  complete  grading,  sewerage,  and  drainage  of  the 
block.  The  cost  of  erecting  one  or  two  modern  buildings,  using  available  material,, 
will  not  be  in  great  excess  of  dubious  repairs  and  alterations,  at  the  same  time  afford- 
ing a  lesson  in  modern  scientific  architecture  and  the  establishment  of  proper  hygi- 
enic conditions. 

A.  H.  GLENNAN. 
R.  HERNANDEZ. 
GABRIEL  FERRER. 

AUGUST  28,  1899. 

COMMITTEE  ON  SUBDELEGATION  OF  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY.1 

Whereas  the  powers  and  duties  formerly  possessed  by  the  subdelegation  of  medicine 
and  surgery  of  Porto  Rico  have  been  transferred  to  the  superior  board  of  health,  and 
whereas  the  safety  of  the  public  is  endangered  by  incompetent  physicians  and  sur- 
geons, pharmacists,  dentists,  midwives,  practicantes,  etc. ,  and  due  regard  for  public 
health  and  the  preservation  of  human  life  demands  that  none  but  those  competent 
and  qualified  shall  practice  these  professions:  Therefore,  be  it  ordered: 

1.  That  in  the  place  of  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery,  pharmacy,  etc., 
of  Porto  Rico,  an  examining  committee  shall  be  appointed  by  the  superior  board  of 
health,  to  consist  of  three  graduates  in  medicine  and  surgery,  of  not  less  than  ten 
years'  standing,  and  of  recognized  ability  in  their  professions,  two  graduates  in 
pharmacy,  and  one  graduate  in  dentistry,  possessing  the  same  professional  standing. 
The  committee  shall  be  divided  into  subcommittees  for  the  work  of  examining. 

2.  The  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico  will  make  and  adopt  for  the 
examining  committee  all  necessary  rules  and  regulations  and  by-laws  not  inconsistent 
with  existing  laws  and  regulations  or  with  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

3.  The  said  examining  committee  shall  meet  and  organize  in  the  city  of  San  Juan 
within  one  month  after  the  appointments  are  made.     The  superior  board  of  health 
shall  provide  a  place  for  the  meetings  of  the  examining  committee. 

4.  All  fees  received  by  the  committee  shall  be  turned  in  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
superior  board  of  health.     After  the  payment  of  legitimate  expenses  the  balance 
shall  be  divided  among  the  members  of  the  committee  in  such  manner  that  each 
member  shall  receive  his  proportionate  share  of  the  fees  received  from  all  persons  he 
actually  examines.     The  recorder  will  receive  his  proportionate  share  of  all  the  fees 
received. 

5.  At  the  first  meeting  the  members  shall  draw  lots  for  terms  of  service.     The  first 
two  names  drawn  shall  serve  one  year,  the  next  two  drawn  shall  serve  two  years, 
and  the  last  two  drawn  shall  serve  three  years.     The  superior  board  of  health  shall, 
on  January  1  of  each  year,  appoint  two  members,  who  shall  serve  three  years.     A 
president  and  a  recorder  shall  be  appointed  by  the  superior  board  of  health  on  the 
same  date. 

EXAMINATIONS. 

6.  The  examining  committee  shall  hold  examinations  for  those  who  desire  to- 
practice  medicine  and  surgery  in  Porto  Rico,  also  for  practicantes,  midwives,  pro- 
fessional nurses,  and  dentists,  at  such  times  as  the  superior  board  of  health  may  direct. 

7.  All  applicants  under  the  classes  named,   desiring  license  to  practice  their 
professions  or  occupations  in  Porto  Rico,  shall  first  present  their  diplomas  or  certifi- 
cates to  the  secretary  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  together  with  a  certificate 
signed  by  responsible  persons  as  to  the  good  moral  character  of  the  applicant.     If  an 
examination  of  these  papers  proves  satisfactory,  the  secretary  will  issue  a  permit  to 
the  applicant  to  appear  before  the  examining  committee  for  examination. 

8.  The  questions  used  shall  be  first  submitted  to  the  superior  board  of  health,  and, 
after  being  approved,  the  same  questions  shall  be  used  with  all  individuals  of  one 
class  applying  at  one  time  for  examination.     All  examinations  shall  be  in  writing 
and  subject  to  such  rules  and  regulations  as  the  superior  board  of  health  shall,  from 
time  to  time,  prescribe 

1  See  General  Orders,  Nos.  153,  163,  and  191,  series  1899. 


46       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

9.  After  each  examination  the  examining  committee  shall,  without  unnecessary 
delay,  act  upon  the  same.     An  official  report  of  such  action,  signed  by  the  chairman, 
recorder,  and  each  acting  member,  stating  the  subject  of  the  examination,  average  of 
•each  candidate  in  each  branch,  the  general  average,  and  the  result  of  each  examina- 
tion, whether  successful  or  unsuccessful,  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  superior  board  of 
health.     Said  report  shall  embrace  all  examination  papers,  questions,  and  answers 
thereto.     All  examination  papers  shall  be  kept  for  reference  or  inspection  for  a  period 
of  not  less  than  five  years. 

10.  On  receiving  from  the  examining  committee  an  official  report  of  the  result  of 
any  examination  of  any  applicant  for  license,  the  superior  board  of  health,  if  it 
approves  the  report,  shall  forthwith  issue  to  each  applicant  adjudged  by  the  exam- 
ining committee  qualified  to  practice  medicine  and  surgery  or  the  other  branches 
named  in  this  order  a  license  to  practice  same  in  Porto  Rico,  signed  by  the  officers 
of  the  superior  board  of  health  and  attested  by  its  seal. 

Before  any  license  shall  be  issued  by  the  superior  board  of  health  it  shall  be 
recorded  in  a  book  to  be  kept  in  its  office,  and  the  number  of  the  book  and  the  page 
therein  containing  such  recorded  copy  shall  be  noted  on  the  face  of  said  license. 
Said  records  shall  be  open  to  public  inspection,  under  proper  restrictions  as  to  their 
safe-keeping,  and  in  all  legal  proceedings  shall  have  the  same  weight  as  evidence  that 
is  given  to  the  conveyance  of  land. 

11.  In  case  any  applicant  shall  fail  in  his  examination  before  the  examining  board, 
he  may  reappear,  on  the  approval  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  at  any  subsequent 
examination  after  six  months  and  within  two  years,  without  payment  of  any  addi- 
tional fee. 

12.  It  is  also  provided  that  applicants  who  possess  diplomas  from  reputable  medi- 
cal colleges,  and  who  have  been  licensed  by  state  boards,  after  an  examination,  may, 
upon  the  payment  of  $25,  be  licensed  by  the  superior  board  of  health,  if  the  superior 
board  of  health  so  decides,  without  examination. 

13.  The  fees  established  by  the  superior  board  of  health  for  examination  are  as 
iollows: 

The  fees  for  examination  of  physicians,  surgeons,  dentists,  and  pharmacists  shall 
be  $25,  not  to  be  returned  in  case  applicant  fails. 

Practicantes  shall  pay  $10  and  professional  nurses  $10  for  their  examinations  and 
licenses.  Midwives  shall  pay  $5.  These  fees  shall  not  be  returned  in  case  applicant 
fails. 

For  registration  of  a  license  by  the  superior  board  of  health  the  fee  shall  be  $1  in 
every  case,  which  shall  be  applied  as  in  paragraph  4. 

14.  No  person  shall  practice  medicine  or  surgery  or  the  other  branches  enumerated 
in  this  regulation  in  Porto  Kico  until  the  provisions  of  this  regulation  are  complied 
with,  except  such  persons  as  have  secured  the  right  under  the  Spanish  Government 
and  medical  officers  serving  in  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States  or  in  the 
United  States  Marine  Hospital  Service. 

15.  For  the  purpose  of  advertising  the  first  examinations  and  for  necessary  sta- 
tionery an  appropriation  of  $50  is  made. 

G.  G.  GEOFF,  Chairman. 
SEPTEMBER  7,  1899. 

COMMITTEE  ON  REGULATION  OF  PROSTITUTION. 

Without  discussing  whether  the  fixing  of  laws  governing  prostitution  is  right  or  an 
abuse  of  power,  or  whether  it  is  moral  or  demoralizing,  it  is  an  established  fact  that 
the  vice  ably  defined  by  Letu  as  "an  abandonment  "to  shame"  is  so  common  and 
pernicious  that  philosophers,  moralists,  scientists,  and  governments  have  regarded 
its  repression  as  a  special  study  and  still  give  the  matter  their  attention,  trying  to 
make,  perhaps,  a  code  of  laws  for  lawlessness,  but  at  any  rate  making  a  noble  effort 
to  prevent  or  at  least  diminish  the  grievous  consequences  of  the  vice.  Considering 
the  matter,  not  philosophically,  but  merely  from  a  practical  and  hygienic  point  of 
view,  there  is  no  doubt  that  unchecked  prostitution  produces  two  great  evils — one 
affecting  public  health  and  the  other  offensive  to  private  and  public  morals,  particu- 
larly where  innocence  and  virtue  are  left  unprotected.  The  fact  that  these  evils  exist 
renders  it  necessary  that  they  be  relieved,  the  first  by  hygienic  and  scientific  meas- 
ures, and  the  second  by  repressing  the  scandal  and  shame  inherent  to  prostitution, 
even  though  soi-disant  idealists  sneer  and  argue  that  sexual  intercourse  should  be 
free,  without  thinking  that  they  are  condemning  the  innocent  to  the  reign  of  harlotry. 

We  therefore  beg  to  advise  that  the  regulations  applied  to  prostitution  in  Habana 
be  adopted,  as  we  consider  them  the  most  complete  code  bearing  on  the  subject. 

RICARDO  HERNANDEZ. 
GABRIEL  FERRER. 

OCTOBER  19,  1899. 


REPORT  OF  SUPEKIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        47 

GOVERNMENT   OF   THE    OCCIDENTAL   REGION    AND   OF   THE   PROVINCE   OF   HABANA. 

/  Decree. 

Convinced  of  the  necessity  for  close  and  constant  attention  to  the  important  ques- 
tion of  the  control  of  prostitution,  which  is  under  the  exclusive  charge  of  the  civil 
government  of  the  province,  but  realizing  that  the  direction  of  the  vast  business  of 
the  regional  government  will  prevent  me  from  giving  such  personal  attention  to  the 
said  branch  of  hygiene  as  the  public  interest  demands,  I  deem  it  advisable  to  estab- 
lish an  auxiliary 'board  of  this  government,  which,  as  delegate  of  my  authority,  will 
take  charge  of  everything  pertaining  to  the  said  branch  of  hygiene  in  this  city  and 
effectively  and  economically  administer  the  laws  which  govern  it. 

Any  unexpended  balance  of  moneys  left  after  payment  of  all  legitimate  expenses  of 
the  board  must  be  applied  in  future  to  public  charity,  one-half  to  the  Royal  House 
of  Maternity  and  Beneficencia,  and  the  other  to  the  civil  hospital,  "Our  Lady  of 
Mercedes." 

It  is  ordered  that — 

1.  From  this  date  a  special  board  for  control  of  prostitution  be  established. 

2.  The  board  will  be  composed  of  a  chief  physician,  the  director  of  the  county 
house  for  prostitutes,  the  director  of  the  Royal  House  of  Maternity  and  Beneficencia, 
the  director  of  the  civil  hospital,  "Our  Lady  of  Mercedes,"  and  the  acting  inspector 
physician  in  charge  of  the  property  of  the  board. 

The  first-named  of  said  functionaries  will  preside  over  the  board  and  the  last  will 
act  as  secretary.  Every  member  of  the  board  will  have  voice  and  vote,  and  if  in 
any  matter  submitted  the  votes  are  equally  divided,  it  will  be  forwarded  to  me  for 
final  decision. 

All  the  acts  of  the  board  will  be  inscribed  in  a  book  kept  for  that  purpose,  the 
leaves  of  which  must  be  numbered.  They  must  be  properly  indexed,  and  each  must 
be  signed  by  the  secretary,  with  the  approval  of  the  president. 

3.  The  board,  as  delegate  of  the  governor,  will  exercise  its  administrative  and 
executive  duties  in  accordance  with  these  regulations. 

4.  The  board  will  take  charge  of  the  records  and  funds  pertaining  to  the  section  of 
hygiene  of  this  government,  previously  making  a  duplicate  inventory  and  an  exact 
balance,  also  duplicated,  of  its  assets,  as  well  as  all  outstanding  obligations  to  date. 
These  obligations  will  have  preference,  and  will  be  paid  by  the  board  according  to 
the  entries. 

5.  The  annual  balance  on  hand,  after  all  obligations  of  the  board  are  paid,  will  be 
equally  divided  between  the  House  of  Maternity  and  Beneficencia,  and  the  civil  hos- 
pital, "Our  Lady  of  Mercedes." 

6.  During  the  first  fortnight  of  January  the  board  will  make  a  detailed  report  to 
the  governor  of  the  work  performed  during  the  preceding  year.     An  account  of 
moneys  received  and  expended  during  the  period  will  be  included  in  the  report,  and 
a  like  account  will  be  submitted  on  the  30th  of  June. 

7.  The  board  will  submit  as  soon  as  possible  for  my  approval  any  additions  to  the 
regulation  in  force  which  it  may  deem  necessary. 

8.  The  board  will  be  held  responsible  for  the  proper  regulation  of  prostitution,  and 
will  so  perform  its  duties  as  to  best  accomplish  this  end.     Its  acts  will  at  all  times  be 
subject  to  my  approval. 

9.  The  board  is  authorized  to  establish  its  offices  in  a  convenient  place  forthe  object 
proposed  in  the  present  decree. 

FRANCISCO  CASSA. 
HABANA,  March  1,  1892. 

NOTE. — Owing  to  the  extent  of  this  report  it  was  deemed  inadvisable  to  publish  the 
regulations  in  extenso. 

COMMITTEE   ON   COURSES    IN    PHARMACY. 

Your  committee  appointed  to  draw  up  schedules  of  studies  to  be  pursued  by  candi- 
dates for  a  license  in  pharmacy  has  the  honor  to  recommend  that  evidence  of  having 
taken  one  of  two  courses  be  required  of  all  candidates  desiring  admission  to  the 
board's  examination.  The  first  to  be  a  two  years'  course  in  a  recognized  college  of 
pharmacy,  during  which  the  following  studies  shall  have  been  successfully  passed : 
First  year:  Months. 

Elements  of  physics 4 

General  chemistry 4 

Latin 9 

Analytical  chemistry 5 

Botany 5 


48   EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

Second  year:  Months. 

Organic  chemistry  and  toxicology 4 

Materia  medica 5 

Practice  of  pharmacy 9 

Microscopy  and  pharmacology 4 

History  of  pharmacy  and  English  language 5 

The  second  to  be  a  three-year  course  of  occupation  and  study  in  a  pharmaceutical 
establishment  of  good  standing,  under  the  direction  of  a  pharmacist  preceptor.  The 
following  reading  course  to  be  taken  in  conjunction  therewith: 

First  year:  English  language,  elements  of  physics,  botany. 

Second  year:  English  language,  Latin,  general  chemistry,  natural  history. 

Third  year:  English  language,  analytical  chemistry  and  toxicology,  history  of 
pharmacy. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

G.  G.  GROFF,  Chairman. 

NOVEMBER  16,  1899. 

COMMITTEE   ON   DISINTERMENT   OF   BODIES. 

Reports  that  a  circular  of  August  8,  1863,  found  in  the  memorandum  book  of 
official  orders  Porto  Rico,  signed  by  General  Concha,  reads: 

' '  No  body  may  be  disinterred  before  two  years,  or  within  that  time  be  transferred 
from  a  cemetery  to  a  cKurch. 

' '  After  two  to  five  years  bodies  may  be  so  disinterred  upon  ecclesiastical  authority,, 
approved  by  the  governor-general,  based  upon  a  certificate  of  two  physicians,  that 
no  danger  to  public  health  eould  result. 

"After  five  years  the  governor-general  may  authorize  removal. 

"  In  all  cases  of  contagious  diseases  disinterment  is  prohibited. 

"Physicians'  fee  for  certificate  and  for  superintending  disinterment,  12  pesos,  with 
traveling  expenses." 

The  following  has  been  the  practice: 

1.  Cadavers  that  were  previously  embalmed  may  be  exhum  ated  at  all  times  with- 
out medical  examination  or  medical  certificates. 

2.  After  five  years  of  interment  the  disinterment  may  be  allowed  without  the 
medical  certificates. 

3.  Exhumation  is  absolutely  prohibited  in  less  time  than  two  years.    . 

4.  After  two  years'  interment  of  the  corpse  the  exhumation  will  be  allowed,  pro- 
vided that  a  previous  inspection  is  made,  and  the  certificates  of  two  physicians  are 
given,  in  which  will  be  stated  that  there  would  not  be  any  danger  to  public  health. 

For  the  removal  of  the  remains  from  one  cemetery  to  another  in  the  same  province, 
or  to  a  different  province,  or  to  a  foreign  country,  it  is  necessary  to  have  a  permit  from 
the  ecclesiastical  authorities,  a  license  from  the  governor  of  the  province,  and  in  the 
last  case  a  permit  from  Her  Majesty. 

It  is  absolutely  prohibited  to  exhume  and  transfer  a  cadaver  to  any  church,  pantheon, 
vault,  or  cemetery  situated  inside  of  the  city. 

In  view  of  the  above  laws  and  conditions,  I  think  that  as  Mrs.  Coy  has  proven  by 
medical  certificates  that  her  husband  died  of  a  noncontagious  disease  and  that  more 
than  five  years  have  elapsed  since  his  death,  that  the  board  of  health,  according  to- 
existing  laws,  has  full  and  complete  power  to  grant  her  request. 

RICARDO  HERNANDEZ. 

DECEMBER  8,  1899. 

COMMITTEE  ON  CRYPTS  UNDER  SAN  FRANCISCO  AND  MA  ORES  CARMELITAS  CHURCHES. 

We,  the  undersigned  committee,  appointed  to  inspect  the  burial  places  of  San  Fran- 
cisco and  Madres  Carmelitas  churches,  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report: 

Carmelitas. — There  are  two  places  for  the  burial  of  the  dead  in  connection  with  this 
church — the  vaults  or  crypts  of  the  convent  of  the  cloistered  order  ("Las  Madres 
Carmelitas" )  adjoining  the  church  and  the  crypt  under  the  floor  of  the  church  itself. 

The  vault  of  the  convent  is  situated  below  the  ground  floor  of  the  convent,  but  is 
probably  above  the  level  of  Luna  street,  which  makes  a  sharp  descent  in  front  of  t  he 
convent.  The  vault  consists  of  a  small  inclosufe  (masonry)  reached  by  a  flight  of 
stairs,  open  to  the  air,  but  provided  with  heavy  doors  for  closure,  and  contains  some 
six  or  eight  niches  built  in  the  walls  and  one  cemented  box-like  inclosure,  having  a 
high  crescentic  opening,  unclosed,  admitting  partial  inspection  of  the  interior.  The 
entire  place  is  neat,  clean,  and  without  any  odor.  We  were  informed  that  the  bodies 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        49 

of  all  dying  in  the  convent  are  buried  here;  the  body  properly  coffined  being  first 
placed  in  one  of  the  niches-  which  is  then  closed  with  brick,  cement,  or  something 
similar,  and  there  it  remain/for  several  years  (ten  to  fifteen ) ;  the  niche  is  then  opened 
and  the  bones  remaining  are  thrown  into  the  cemented  inclosure  described  above. 
There  were  so  few  bones  in  this  inclosure  that  it  occasioned  comment.  The  sister 
superior  informed  us  that  they  rapidly  disintegrated  in  this  climate.  Under  the 
system  above  described  there  is  ample  room  here  for  bodies  of  such  dead  as  are  buried 
in  this  place. 

The  crypts  beneath  the  church  we  were  unable  to  inspect  as  the  entrances  were 
sealed.  We  learned,  ho  we  /er,  that  there  are  two  small  rooms  (vaults),  each  contain- 
ing some  sixteen  or  eighteen  niches.  These  two  rooms  are  not  connected,  but  each 
has  a  separate  entrance  into  the  church.  These  entrances  which  we  saw  are  t\vo 
openings  in  the  floor  of  the  church  fitted  with  stone  slabs  and  closed  with  cement. 
Only  bones  are  placed  in  these  crypts,  the  dead  being  first  buried  in  an  outside 
cemetery  and  removed  to  this  place  after  a  variable  number  of  years  (ten  to  fifteen), 
properly  prepared  and  under  proper  supervision,  to  be  sealed  in  one  of  the  niches. 
We  were  informed  that  the  niches  were  not  all  filled. 

San  Francisco. — In  this  church  we  found  one  vault  under  the  floor  of  the  church, 
reached  by  a  stairway,  the  entrance  to  which  was  covered  by  rather  light  wooden 
hatches.  The  vault  contains  some  twenty  niches.  The  burials  here  are  made  as  in 
Carmelitas,  the  bodies  being  first  interred  in  an  outside  cemetery,  the  bones  only 
transferred  here.  This  place,  so  the  priest  in  charge  informed  us,  has  room  for  only 
three  more  bodies  'bones),  and  when  these  places  are  filled  he  is  opposed  to  any 
attempt  to  make  room  for  more.  The  place  is  reserved  for  the  Order  of  St.  Francis, 
and  only  a  few  burials  occur  here.  The  entrance  to  the  vault  is  very  poorly  closed, 
and  this  is  a  subject  for  complaint  from  the  priest  in  charge,  whose  living  quarters 
are  directly  above  on  the  next  floor.  The  place  had  a  close,  confined  odor,  but 
nothing  more.  It  appeared  clean  and  dry. 

Conclusions  and,  recommendations. — Under  the  methods  employed  and  under  proper 
supervision  we  can  see  no  objection  to  the  burial  of  the  dead  in  these  places  as  it*is 
practiced,  and  the  only  recommendation  wre  have  to  make  is  that  the  entrance  to  the 
vault  in  San  Francisco  Church  should  be  fitted  with  some  better  means  of  closing  it, 
as  sealing  it  with  a  stone  slab  or  using  heavy  metal  doors  of  some  kind. 

R.  HERNANDEZ. 
C.  H.  LAVINDER. 

FEBRUARY  16,  1900. 

COMMITTEE  TO  REPORT  ON  SAN  JUAN  WATER  SUPPLY. 

We,  the  undersigned  committee,  appointed  to  investigate  the  water  supply  of  San 
Juan,  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report: 

Our  inspection  was  made  mainly  with  the  view  of  suggesting  some  method  of 
improving  the  potableness  of  the  water,  and  we  concerned  ourselves  not  so  much 
with  the  methods  of  obtaining  and  distributing  the  water  as  with  the  characteristics 
of  the  water  supplied  and  its  source. 

Waterworks. — The  waterworks  are  situated  about  1  mile  to  the  south  'of  Rio  Pie- 
dras,  and  the  water  is  drawn  from  the  Rio  Piedras  River  at  this  point.  The  stream 
here  is  dammed  with  masonry,  and  the  water,  first  drawn  into  a  measuring  tank, 
passes  at  once  into  three  large  connecting  tanks  or  reservoirs  of  masonry.  The  capac- 
ity of  these  combined  tanks  is  about  9,000,000  gallons.  They  serve  the  purpose, 
generally  speaking,  of  storage  and  settling  tanks,  the  water  being  drawn  from  each 
in  turn  to  the  last,  from  which  it  is  pumped  to  another  large  reservoir,  the  capacity 
of  which  is  about  2,850,000  gallons.  This  .is  situated  on  an  eminence,  being  several 
feet  above  the  highest  point  in  the  city.  From  this  reservoir  the  water  is  distrib- 
uted through  large  iron  pipes  by  gravity  to  the  .city  of  San  Juan.  The  waterworks 
are  new,  well  arranged,  and  efficient. 

Source  of  the  water  and  its  physical  characteristics. — The  bed  of  the  river  at  the  water- 
works is  of  mud,  and  the  stream  for  2  or  3  miles  above  this  point  passes  through 
country  more  or  less  flat  and  fairly  well  settled  (inhabited).  We  were  informed, 
moreover,  that  the  farmers  in  this  neighborhood  raise  a  number  of  cattle,  most  of 
which  frequent  the  banks  of  the  stream,  thereby  polluting  it.  The  engineer  who 
was  in  charge  when  the  works  were  built,  Mr.  Gerra,  also  informed  us  that  after  a 
rain  the  water  at  this  point  usually  remained  muddy  from  three  to  five  days.  It 
was  muddy  each  time  we  inspected  the  place.  We  were  further  informed  that  the 

19709—01 4 


50       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

stream  just  above  this  point  is  frequently  polluted   by  washerwomen  to  a  small 
extent.     The  water  at  the  dam  is  muddy  a  great  part  of  the  time. 

Proposed  site. — It  has  been  proposed  to  draw  water  from  the  same  stream,  about  2J 
miles  nearer  its  source,  to  the  east.  The  engineer  considers  it  feasible  and  advisable 
and  has  prepared  the  plans  and  estimates.  We  visited  the  proposed  site.  It  is  prob- 
ably 6  miles  from  the  source  of  the  stream,  into  which  two  branches  flow  before  it 
reaches  this  place.  The  surrounding  country  is  mountainous  and  verv  sparsely 
inhabited.  The  bed  of  the  stream  is  of  rock  (gneiss).  The  engineer  informed  us 
that  he  had  inspected  this  stream  and  its  two  branches  to  their  source  and  had  found 
the  same  characteristics  prevailing  everywhere  along  its  course,  from  the  proposed 
site  to  the  sources  of  the  streams,  rocky  beds,  mountainous  and  sparsely  settled  coun- 
try, with  very  few  cattle.  The  character  of  the  banks  of  the  stream  is  such  that  it 
would  be  difficult  for  cattle  to  reach  it  in  most  places.  The  engineer  heartily  indorses 
the  proposed  change  for  the  following  reasons: 

1.  The  watershed  is  almost  uninhabited  and  the  country  not  well  fitted  for  cattle 
grazing,  thus  leaving  the  stream  unpolluted  by  animal  filth.  • 

2.  The  bed  of  the  stream  is  rocky  and  water  does  not  get  very  muddy  after  rains, 
and  clears  rapidly. 

3.  The  cost  will  not  be  very  great,  as  the  water  can  be  drawn  to  the  reservoirs  at 
the  works  by  gravity,  and  the  only  work  necessary  wrill  be  the  building  of  a  dam  and 
the  laying  of  the  pipes.     Total  cost,  including  sand  filters,  estimated  at  $25,000  gold. 

Filtration. — The  only  other  alternative  for  obtaining  purer  water  is  to  continue 
drawing  it  from  the  present  place  and  filtering  it.  This  has  been  contemplated,  and 
materials  are  ready  for  putting  in  a  sand  and  gravel  filter,  the  middle  reservoir  to  be 
used  for  this  purpose.  The  engineer,  however,  points  out  that  it  is  not  always  feas- 
ible to  filter  large  quantities  of  muddy  water  in  this  way,  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  a 
moderate  deposit  of  mud  on  the  surface  of  the  sand  renders  it  almost  impervious  to 
water  and  necessitates  constant  and  hence  expensive  cleaning  and  renewal  of  the  fil- 
tering material.  He  further  says  that  it  is  not  the  correct  idea  to  attempt  to  filter 
muddy  water  in  large  quantities,  but  that  clear  water  should  be  first  obtained  and 
that  filtered,  and  he  thinks  that  the  proposed  site  will  furnish  a  sufficient  supply  of 
clear  water,  which,  he  says,  the  present  will  not  do. 

Recommendations. — It  is  not  well  to  forget  that  the  Rio  Piedras  is  quite  a  small 
stream,  and  although  it  will  furnish,  under  existing  arrangements  of  storage,  etc.,  an 
ample  supply  of  water  for  present  pur  poses —about  100  liters  to  each  inhabitant  of  San 
Juan,  Santurce,  and  Rio  Piedras  daily — nevertheless,  provision  is  not  made  for  any- 
decided  increase  in  the  number  of  inhabitants.  At  present,  moreover,  only  about 
one-fourth  of  the  houses  of  these  places  are  supplied  with  water  connections.  The 
present  franchise  allows  1,250,000  gallons  to  be  drawn  daily  from  the  river. 

We  have  submitted  specimens  of  the  water  taken  from  the  present  and  proposed 
sites  to  the  chemist  of  the  board  for  analysis.  He  informed  us,  however,  that  he 
would  need  further  specimens.  While  it  is  not  possible  to  make  positive  statements 
without  an  analysis  of  the  water,  nevertheless  it  is  believed  that  the  present  \vater 
leaves  much  to  be  desired  as  to  its  potableness,  and  that  a  remedy  of  some  kind  is  at 
least  advisable.  From  the  statements  of  the  engineer  and  pur  necessarily  superficial 
inspection  we  believe  that  th$. proposed  change  in  the  site,  from  which  the  water 
supply  is  drawn,  with  a  method  of  sand  and  gravel  filtration  as  suggested,  would 
greatly  improve  the  potableness  of  the  water  and  obviate  the  present  necessity  of 
individual  filtration.  It  is  not  to  be  forgotten,  however,  that  while  the  watershed  of 
the,  proposed  site  is  at  present  uninhabited  and  desirable,  it  may  not  remain  so. 
This  could  be  insured,  of  course,  only  by  purchasing  and  policing  the  shed  itself.  In 
view  of  the  expenditure  involved  in  the  proposed  change  and  the  present  scarcity  of 
money,  it  might  be  wise  to  make?  some  further  investigations  concerning  the  filtration 
of  the  present  water. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

R.  HERNANDEZ,  Chairman, 
*  C.  H.  LAVINDER, 

Committee. 

NOTE. — All  figures  in  the  above  report  were  given  us  by  the  engineer,  Mr.  Gerra, 
and  we  have  made  no  attempt  to  verify  them,  as  they  are  considered  reliable. 

THE  COMMITTEE. 

MEDICAL  FEE  BILL  OF  THE  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

Among  the  duties  inherited  by  the  superior  board  of  health  from  the  subdelega- 
tion  of  medicine  and  surgery  was  that  of  passing  upon  contests  between  physicians 
and  patients  or  their  estates  regarding  amount  and  payment  of  fees.  The  following 


EEPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        51 

schedule  was  adopted  by  the  board  as  a  guide  in  its  recommendation  regarding  any 
such  cases  submitted  for  its  opinion: 

f  Office  practice. 

Transient  office  call $1.  00 

Ordinary  office  prescription .50 

Office  consultation,  in  which  a  careful  examination  is  required $1.  00-  5.  00 

Vaccination 1.  00 

Written  opinion  regarding  the  health  of  a  patient 5.  00 

An  opinion  in  which  a  question  of  law  is  involved 10.  00-25.  00 

Gonorrhoea  (in  advance)  10.  00-25.  00 

Syphilis  (in  advance) 50.  00 

General  practice. 

For  first  visit $1.  00-$5.  00 

For  each  subsequent  visit 1.  00-  2.  00 

For  each  subsequent  visit  on  the  same  day 1.  00-  2.  00 

For  each  additional  person  prescribed  for  in  the  same  family .50 

For  visit  between  10  p.  m.  and  7  a.  m 2.  00-  5.  00 

For  each  consultation 3.  00-10.  00 

For  each  subsequent  visit  of  consultant 2.  00-  4.  00 

Extra  charges. 

For  all  medicines  furnished  or  hypodermic  injection $0. 50 

Examination  of  urine _" $2.  00-  5.  00 

Introducing  catheter ' 1.  00 

Cupping 1.  00-  3.  00 

Leeching T 1.  00-  3.  00 

Vaginal  examination  or  treatment 1.  00-  5.  00 

Rectal  examination  or  treatment 1.  00-  5.  00 

Injections,  rectal 1.  00-  2.  00 

Bleeding 1.  00-  2.  00 

Administering  an  anaesthetic 3.  00-  5.  00 

Obstetrical  practice. 

For  ordinary  cases  of  labor $10.  00-$25.  00 

For  application  of  forceps  (extra) 5.  00-  15.  00 

For  the  operation  of  turning  (extra) 10. 00-  15.  00 

For  the  operation  of  craniotomy  (extra) 25.  00 

For  all  visits  over  three,  regular  charges  will  be  made. 
An  additional  fee  of  $1  will  be  charged  for  each  hour  a  physician  is 
detained  over  four. 

Surgery. 

For  reducing  and  setting  fractures  of  the  arm  and  leg $10. 00 

For  reducing  and  setting  fractures  of  the  thigh $15.  00-  25.  00 

For  reducing  and  setting  compound  or  comminuted  fractures  an  addi- 
tional fee  of  $10  to  be  added  to  the  above. 

When  fractures  complicate  joints,  an  extra  fee  of '  5.  00 

For  reducing  recent  luxation  of  shoulder 10. 00 

For  reducing  recent  luxation  of  hip  joint 25.  00 

For  reducing  recent  luxation  of  other  joints,  from 5.  00-  10.  00 

For  reducing  old  luxation,  an  extra  fee  of 10.  00 

Amputation  of  arm  and  leg,  with  antiseptic  dressing 30.  00-  50.  00 

Amputation  at  shoulder  or  hip  joint,  with  antiseptic  dressing 75.  00-150.  00 

Amputation  of  fingers  and  toes 5.  00-  15.  00 

For  resection  of  large  bones  or  joints 75.  00-150.  00 

For  resection  of  small  bones  or  joints 15.  00-  25.  00 

For  operation  for  fistula  in  ano 15.  00 

For  the  operation  for  lacerated  cervix 50.  00 

For  the  operation  for  ruptured  perineum 50.  00 

For  the  operation  for  hemorrhoids 10. 00-  25.  00 

For  the  operation  for  vesico- vaginal  or  recto- vaginal  fistula 50. 00 

For  the  operation  for  strangulated  hernia 50.  00 


52       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO 

For  the  operation  for  the  removal  of  nrevi $5.  00-$25.  00 

For  the  operation  for  cleft  palate 50.  00 

For  the  operation  for  harelip 25. 00 

For  the  operation  of  tracheotomy " 25.  00 

For  the  operation  of  intubation 25.  00 

For  the  operation  for  radical  cure  of  hydrocele 25.  00 

For  the  operation  for  phimosis  and  paraphimosis 5.  00-  25.  00 

For  the  operation  for  stricture  of  urethra,  radical  cure 25.  00 

For  tenotomy 5.  00-  25.  00 

For  trepanning 50.  00-100.  00 

For  ligation  of  arteries 10.  00-100.  00 

For  removal  of  foreign  bodies  from  the  ear,  nose,  pharynx,  or  cesoph- 

agus .i 1.  00-  10.  00 

For  reduction  of  hernia  by  taxis 3.  00-  10.  00 

For  aspirating  chest  or  abdomen 5.  00-  25.  00 

For  removing  polypus  from  uterus  or  rectum 10. 00-  25.  00 

For  tapping  a  hydrocele 5. 00 

For  giving  anaesthetics 3.  00-    5.  00 

For  post-mortem  examination  in  case  of  legal  investigation 50.  00-100.  00 

For  post-mortem  at  request  of  family 25. 00-  40. 00 

When  an  anaesthetic  is  administered  in  any  case  of  surgery,  an  additional  fee  of  $5 
will  be  charged. 

Subsequent  visits  to  be  charged  at  the  same  rate  as  ordinary  visits. 

In  addition  to  the  above  surgical  charges,  mileage  will  be  charged  at  the  rate  as 
for  ordinary  practice.  Necessary  assistance  in  surgical  operations  to  be  charged  as  a 
consultant. 

REGULATIONS  PROMULGATED. 

The  board  early  appreciated  the  necessity  existing  on  the  island  for 
modern  laws  controlling  sanitation.  It  at  once  proceeded  to  formulate 
a  set  of  regulations  covering  thoroughly  the  scope  of  its  work.  Under 
the  existing  military  government  acts  became  operative  only  when 
issued  as  general  orders  or  circulars  from  the  department  headquarters. 
Parts  of  the  proposed  completed  regulations,  which  were  compiled 
soon  after  the  organization  of  the  board,  were  submitted  from  time  to 
time  to  the  military  governor,  and  after  due  consideration  most  of 
them  became  law  by  such  issue.  The  following  are  copies  of  these 
general  orders  and  circulars  recommended  by  the  superior  board  of 
health,  and  issued  prior  to  Mav^  1,  1900: 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  142.  J  San  Juan,  September  18,  1899. 

With  the  concurrence  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  General  Orders,  No.  101, 
current  series,  these  headquarters,  relating  to  the  sale  of  fresh  beef,  are  amended  so 
as  to  remove  the  restriction  upon  the  slaughter  of  pregnant  cattle  for  beef,  when  not 
more  than  six  months  pregnant,  such  cattle  being  otherwise  in  healthy  condition. 
By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  151.  /  San  Juan,  September  27,  1899. 

The  following  orders  are  published  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  all  con- 
cerned: 

PURITY    AND    WHOLESOMENESS   OF    FOODS,    DRINKS,    DRUGS,    AND    MEDICINES. 

1.  Foods  and  drinks,  in  the  meaning  of  this  order,  are  all  articles  used  for  food  or 
drink  by  man,  whether  simple  or  compound.     The  term  "drug"  includes  all  medi- 
cines used  by  man,  whether  for  internal  or  external  use. 

2.  No  adulterated  articles  of  food  or  drink  shall  be  made  or  sold  in  Porto  Rico; 
articles  ordinarily  recognized  as  foods,  which  are  rieally  mixtures,  may  be  sold  if 
marked  with  the  word  "mixture"  or  "compound."      No  diseased,  decomposed, 


REPORT  OF  SUPEKIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        53 

offensive,  or  unclean  article  shall  be  used  in  the  manufacture  of  any  food,  drink,  or 
medicine. 

3.  No  person  shall  sell  in  Porto  Rico  any  impure,  diseased,  decayed,  or  unwhole- 
some provisions,  or  any  adulterated  bread,  or  any  food  substance  mixed  with  a 
poisonous  substance. 

4.  No  person,  whether  owner,  manager,  keeper  of,  agent,  bartender,  or  clerk,  in 
any  saloon,  restaurant,  boarding  or  eating  house,  in  Porto  Rico,  shall  offer  for  sale 
any  food  or  drink  containing  anything  poisonous  or  unwholesome. 

5.  No  person  owning,  renting,  or  leasing  any  stall,  room,  or  stand  where  milk, 
meats,  vegetables,  or  groceries,  are  sold  as  food,  shall  fail  to  keep  said  room,  stall, 
or  stand,  in  a  cleanly  condition,  nor  shall  such  persons  allow  such  milk,  meats,  vege- 
tables, or  groceries  to  become  poisonous,  or  infected,  or  unfit  for  food  by  reason  of 
uncleanly  condition  of  such  stall,  room,  or  stand. 

6.  No  person  shall  offer  for  sale  in  Porto  Rico  any  unwholesome,  watered,  or  adul- 
terated milk,  or  milk  produced  from  cows  which  are  visibly  diseased,  or  are  kept 
upon  and  fed  on  garbage,  swill,  or  other  deleterious  substances. 

7.  No  person  in  Porto  Rico  shall  sell  any  article  of  food  or  drug  which  is  not  of  the 
nature,  substance,  and  quality  of  the  article  demanded  by  any  purchaser;  and  no 
person  shall  sell  any  compound  food  or  drug  which  is  not  composed  of  ingredients 
in  accordance  with  the  demand  of  the  purchaser. 

8.  No  person  in  Porto  Rico  shall  subtract  from  any  article  of  food  any  part  of  it 
so  as  to  affect  injuriously  its  quality,  substance,  or  nature;  and  no  person  shall  sell 
any  article  so  altered  without  making  disclosure  of  the  alteration. 

9.  All  drugs  sold  must  be  of  the  standard  quality  and  strength  prescribed  in  the 
Spanish  or  United  States  pharmacopoeias. 

10.  All  compound,  proprietary,  patent,  or  secret  remedies  sold  in  Porto  Rico,  shall 
bear  upon  the  bottle,  box,  or  package,  an  exact  formula  stating  the  constituents  of 
the  medicine  or  remedy. 

11.  No  pharmacist,  riot  a  legally  qualified  physician,  shall  prescribe  remedies  for 
the  sick.     Every  bottle,  box,  or  package  containing  any  medicine  or  drug  shal]  be 
labeled  with  the  name  of  the  same,  and  with  the  name  of  the  physician  who  wrote 
the  prescription.     Pharmacists  shall  not  sell  arsenic,  strychnine,  or  their  compounds, 
or  other  drugs  commonly  known  as  deadly  poisons,  except  upon  the  prescriptions  of 
legally  qualified  physicians.     Before  such  sale  is  made,  the  name  of  the  drug  and  its 
quantity,  the  name  of  the  physician  prescribing,  and  also  the  name  of  the  purchaser 
shall  be  entered  in  a  book  especially  kept  for  the  purpose.     The  purchaser  shall  sign 
his  name  in  a  book  below  the  entry  made  by  the  druggist.     Every  bottle,  box,  or 
package  containing  a  dangerous  drug  shall  be  distinctly  labeled  " poison,"  and  the 
person  shall  be  warned  of  the  nature  of  the  article. 

12.  Violation  of  the  provision  of  this  regulation  shall,  upon  conviction,  be  pun- 
ished with  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $10  nor  more  than  $200,  or  imprisonment  for  not 
less  than  five  nor  more  than  ninety  days,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  ")  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  17.  /  •  San  Juan,  January  31,  1900. 

I.  The  district  courts  instituted  bv  General  Orders,  No.  114,  series  of  1899,  from 
these  headquarters,  shall  have  jurisdiction  over  cases  arising  under  General  Orders, 
No.  151,  series  of  1899,  from  these  headquarters,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  General 
Orders,  No.  88,  series  of  1899,  from  these  headquarters. 

II.  All  fines  collected  under  the  provisions  of  the  aforesaid  orders  shall  be  turned 
over  to  the  treasurer  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  shall  be  used  to  maintain  a 
chemical  laboratory  for  the  analysis  of  food,  drinks,  drugs,  medicines,  and  such  other 
substances  as  may  be  thought  to  be  injurious  to  the  public  health.     Any  unexpended 
balance  shall,  at  the  end  of  each  fiscal  year,  be  turned  into  the  insular  treasury. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  87.  |  San  Juan,  April  25,  1900. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  paragraphs  10,  11,  and 
12  of  General  Orders,  No.  151,  series  of  1899,  Headquarters  Department  of  Porto  Rico, 
are  hereby  revoked,  and  the  following  substituted  therefor: 

-10.  Paragraph  8,  of  article  11,  of  the  Spanish  tariff  law  in  force  immediately  prior 
to  the  American  occupation  of  Porto  Rico  prohibited  the  importation  of  "pharma- 


54   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

ceutical  preparations  or  secret  remedies  of  unknown  composition,  or  the  formulas  of 
which  have  not  been  published"  ( Aranceles  de  Aduanas.  Disposition  Undecima,  art. 
8) .  With  a  view  to  carrying  out  the  provisions  of  this  former  law,  it  is  hereby  ordered 
that  on  and  after  July  1,  1900,  all  proprietary,  patent,  or  secret  remedies  sold  in  Porto 
Kico  shall  bear  upon  the  bottle,  box,  or  package,  a  number  which  shall  correspond 
with  the  number  on  a  duly  attested  formula,  stating  the  constituents  of  the  medicine 
or  remedy,  which  formula  must  be  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the  superior  board  of 
health  of  Porto  Kico.  A  fee  of  $25  will  be  paid  to  the  superior  board  of  health  of 
Porto  Rico  for  the  registration  of  each  formula  deposited  under  the  provisions  of  this 
paragraph;  which  money,  after  deducting  the  necessary  expenses  of  registration,  will 
be  turned  into  the  treasury  and  applied  toward  the  support  of  the  laboratory  of  the 
superior  board  of  health. 

11.  No  pharmacist,  not  a  legally  qualified  physician,  shall  prescribe  for  the  sick. 
Every  bottle,  box,  or  package  containing  any  medicine  or  drug,  must,  when  dispensed, 
be  labeled  with  the  name  of  the  same,  or  if  dispensed  on  prescription,  with  the  num- 
ber of  the  prescription  and  the  name  of  the  physician  wrho  wrote  it,  as  well  as  that 
of  the  pharmacist  who  compounded  it.     Pharmacists  will  file  all  prescriptions  dis- 
pensed by  them,  and  must  not  sell  arsenic,  strychnine,  or  their  compounds,  or  other 
drugs,  commonly  known  as  deadly  poisons,  except  upon  the  prescriptions  of  legally 
qualified  physicians.     Before  such  sale  is  made  the  name  of  the  drug  and  its  quality, 
the  name  of  the  physician  prescribing  it,  and  also  the  name  of  the  purchaser,  shall 
be  entered  in  a  book  especially  kept  for  the  purpose.     The  purchaser  shall  sign  his 
name  in  the  book  below  the  entry  made  by  the  druggist.     Every  bottle,  box,  or  pack- 
age containing  a  dangerous  drug  shall  be  distinctly  labeled  "poison,"  and  the  pur- 
chaser shall  also  be  warned  of  the  nature  of  the  article. 

12.  Violations  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  order,  or  of  any  remaining  provi- 
sions of  General  Orders,  No.  151,  series  of  1899,  these  headquarters,  shall,  upon  con- 
viction, be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $10  nor  more  than  $200,  or  by  impris- 
onment for  not  less  than  five  nor  more  than  ninety  days,  or  by  both  such  fine  and 
imprisonment,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court.     The  district  courts  instituted  by  Gen- 
eral Orders,  No.  114,  series  of  1899,  these  headquarters,  shall  have  jurisdiction  in 
cases  arising  under  this  order,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  88, 
series  of  1899,  these  headquarters. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

WM.  E.  ALMY, 
Acting  Adjutant- Genial 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  48.  /  San  Juan,  March  7,  1900. 

General  Orders,  No.  17,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters,  is  revoked,  and 
the  following  substituted  therefor: 

I.  The  district  and  municipal  courts  instituted  by  General  Orders,  No.  118,  series 
of  1899,  from  these  headquarters,  shall  have  concurrent  jurisdiction  over  cases  arising 
under  General  Orders,  No.  151,  series  of  1899,  from  these  headquarters,  subject  to  the 
provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  88,  series  of  1899,  from  these  headquarters.     The 
United  States  provisional  court  shall  exercise  jurisdiction  overall  cases  arising  under 
General  Orders,  No.  151,  series  of  1899,  from  these  headquarters,  where  the  accused 
party  is  exempt  from  the  jurisdiction  of  the  insular  courts. 

II.  Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  military  governor,  the  superior  board  of  health 
is  authorized  to  employ  assistants,  agents,  and  inspectors  for  the  proper  enforcement 
of  General  Orders,  No.  151,  series  of  1899,  from  these  headquarters. 

The  said  assistants,  agents,  and  inspectors  shall  have  full  access,  ingress,  and  egress 
to  and  from  all  places  of  business,  factories,  farms,  buildings,  carriages,  cars,  vessels, 
and  packages  used  in  the  manufacture,  sale,  or  transportation  of,  or  containing,  food 
or  drug  substances.  They  shall  also  have  power  and  authority  to  demand  and  to 
receive,  after  tendering  compensation,  samples  for  analysis  of  all  foods  and  drugs 
which  may  be  manufactured,  sold,  or  exposed  for  sale  in  Porto  Rico. 

III.  All  fines  collected  under  the  provisions  of  the  aforesaid  orders  by  the  United 
States  provisional  or  insular  district  courts  shall  be  turned  over  to  the  treasurer  of 
the  island,  and  shall  be  used  under  the  direction  of  the  superior  board  of  health, 
the  one-half,  or  so  much  as  may  be  necessary,  to  maintain  a  chemical  laboratory 
for  the  analysis  of  foods,  drinks,  drugs,  medicines,  and  such  other  substances  as  may 
be  thought  to  be  injurious  to  the  public  health,  the  other  half  to  be  kept  as  a  fund 
for  the  enforcement  of  this  act,  in  payment  to  inspectors,  assistants,  agents,  experts, 
counsel,  or  informers,  said  payments  to  be  made  upon  vouchers  signed  by  the  president 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        55 

and  secretary  of  the  superior  board  of  health.  All  such  fines  collected  by  the 
municipal  courts  shall  be  turned  into  the  municipal  treasury  for  the  benefit  of  the 
municipality. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  153.  j  San  Juan,  September  30,  1899. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  powers  and  duties  formerly  possessed  by  the  subdele- 
gations  of  medicine  and  surgery  and  of  pharmacy  of  Porto  Rico  have  been  transferred 
to  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  that  the  safety  of  the  public  may  be  endangered 
by  incompetent  physicians  and  surgeons,  pharmacists,  dentists,  midwives,  and  prac- 
ticantes  pursuing  their  avocations,  the  following  orders  are  issued : 

I.  That  in  place  of  the  subdelegations  of  medicine  and  surgery,  pharmacy,  etc.,  of 
Porto  Rico,  an  examining  committee  shall  be  appointed  by  the  superior  board  of 
health,  to  consist  of  three  graduates  in  medicine  and  surgery,  of  not  less  than  ten 
years'  standing,  and  of  recognized  ability  in  their  professions;  two  graduates  in  phar- 
macy, and  one  graduate  in  dentistry,  possessing  the  same  professional  standing. 
This  committee  shall  be  divided  into  subcommittees  for  the  work  of  examination. 

II.  The  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico  will  make  and  adopt  for  the  exam- 
ining committee  all  necessary  rules  and  regulations  and  by-laws  not  inconsistent  with 
existing  laws  and  regulations  or  with  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

III.  I'he  said  examining  committee  shall  meet  and  organize  in  the  city  of  San  Juan 
within  one  month  after  the  appointment  of  its  members  is  made.     The  superior 
board  of  health  shall  provide  a  place  for  the  meetings  of  the  examining,  committee. 
All  the  records  and  papers  of  all  kinds,  formerly  belonging  to  the  subdelegation  of 
medicine  and  surgery  and  to  the  subdelegation  in  pharmacy,  shall  be  deposited  with 
the  superior  hoard  of  health; 

IV.  All  fees  received  by  the  committee  shall  be  turned  in  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
superior  board  of  health.     After  the  payment  of  legitimate  expenses,  the  balance  shall 
be  divided  among  the  members  of  the  committee  in  such  manner  that  each  member 
shall  receive  his  proportionate  share  of  the  fees  received  from  all  the  persons  he 
actually  examines.     The  recorder  will  receive  a  proportionate  share  of  all  the  fees 
received. 

V.  At  the  first  meeting  the  members  shall  draw  lots  for  the  terms  of  service.    The 
two  persons  whose  names  are  first  drawn  shall  serve  one  year;  the  two  whose  names 
are  next  drawn  shall  serve  two  years,  and  the  two  whose  names  are  last  drawn  shall 
serve  three  years.     The  superior  board  of  health  shall,  on  January  1  of  each  year, 
appoint  two  members,  who  shall  serve  three  years,     A  president  and  a  recorder  shall 
be  appointed  by  the  superior  board  of  health  on  the  same  date. 

EXAMINATIONS. 

VI.  The  examining  committee  shall  hold  examinations  for  those  whose  desire  to 
practice  medicine  and   surgery,  pharmacy,  and  dentistry  in    Porto  Rico;  also  for 
practicantes,  midwives,  and  professional  nurses  at  such  times  as  the  superior  board 
may  direct. 

VII.  All  applications  under  the  classes  named,  desiring  licenses  to  practice  their 
professions  or  occupations  in  Porto  Rico,  shall  first  present  their  diplomas  or  certifi- 
cates to  the  secretary  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  together  with  a  certificate 
signed  by  two  responsible  persons,  as  to  the  good  moral  character  of  the  applicant. 
If  an  examination  of  these  papers  proves  satisfactory,  the  secretary  will  issue  a  per- 
mit to  the  applicant  to  appear  before  the  examining  committee  for  examination. 

VIII.  The  questions  used  shall  first  be  submitted  to  the  superior  board  of  health, 
and  after  being  approved,  the  same  questions  shall  be  used  with  all  individuals  of 
one  class  applying  at  one  time  for  examination.     All  examinations  shall  be  in  writ- 
ing and  subject  to  such  rules  and  regulations  as  the  superior  board  of  health  shall, 
from  time  to  time,  prescribe. 

IX.  After  each  examination  the  examining  committee  shall,  without  unnecessary 
delay,  act  upon  the  same.     An  ofiicial  report  of  such  action,  signed  by  the  chairman, 
recorder,  and  each  member  present,  stating  the  subject  of  the  examination,  average 
of  each  candidate  in  each  branch,  the  general  average,  and  the  result  of  each  exami- 
nation, whether    successful   or  unsuccessful,  shall   be  forwarded    to  the  superior 
board  of  health.     Said  report  shall  embrace  all  the  examination  papers  and  ques- 
tions and  answers  thereto.     All  such  examination  papers  shall  be  kept  for  reference 
or  inspection  for  a  period  of  not  less  than  five  years. 


56   REPORT  OF  8UPERIOE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

X.  On  receiving  from  the  examining  committee  an  official  report  of  the  result  of 
any  examination  of  any  applicant  for  license,  the  superior  board  of  health,  if  it 
approve  the  report,  shall  forthwith  issue  to  each  successful  applicant,  adjudged  by 
the  examining  committee  qualified  to  practice  medicine  and  surgery,  or  the  other 
branches  named  in  this  order,  a  license  to  practice  same  in  Porto  Rico,  signed  by 
the  members  of  the  examining  committee  who  actually  examined  the  applicant, 
and  by  the  officers  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  attested  by  its  seal. 

Before  any  license  shall  be  issued  by  the  superior  board  of  health,  it  shall  be 
recorded  in  a  book  to  be  kept  in  its  office,  and  the  number  of  the  book  and  the  page 
therein  containing  such  recorded  copy  shall  be  noted  on  the  face  of  said  license. 
Said  records  shall  be  open  to  public  inspection,  under  proper  restrictions  as  to  their 
safe-keeping,  and  in  all  legal  proceedings  shall  have  the  same  weight  as  evidence  that 
is  given  to  the  conveyance  of  land. 

XL  In  case  any  applicant  should  fail  in  his  examination  before  the  examining 
board,  he  may  reappear,  on  approval  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  at  any  subse- 
quent examination  after  six  months  and  within  two  years,  without  payment  of  any 
additional  fee. 

XII.  Applicants  who  possess  diplomas  from  reputable  medical  or  dental  colleges, 
and  who  have  been  licensed  by  State  boards,  after  an  examination,  may,  upon  the 
payment  of  the  fee  of  $25,  be  licensed  by  the  superior  board  of  health  without  exam- 
ination if  the  superior  board  of  health  so  decides. 

XIII.  The  fees  established  by  the  superior  board  of  health  for  examinations  are 
as  follows: 

(a)  For  examination  of  physicians  and  surgeons,  dentists,  and  pharmacists,  $25. 

(6)  For  practicantes,  $15. 

(c,)  For  professional  nurses,  $10. 

(d)  For  mid  wives,  $5. 

These  fees  shall  not  be  returned  in  case  of  failure  in  examination. 

For  the  issue  and  registration  of  a  license  by  the  superior  board  of  health  the  fee 
shall  be,  for  a  physician  and  surgeon,  dentist,  or  pharmacist,  $5,  and  for  all  others,  $1. 
The  money  received  from  such  fees,  as  well  as  those  mentioned  in  Paragraph  XII, 
shall,  after  deducting  the  necessary  expenses,  be  turned  into  the  insular  treasury. 

XIV.  No  person  shall  practice  medicine  and  surgery,  or  the  other  branches  enumer- 
ated in  this  regulation,  in  Porto  Rico,  until  the  provisions  of  this  regulation  are 
complied  with,  except  such  persons  as  have  secured  the  right  under  the  Spanish  Gov- 
ernment.    These  will  receive  the  license  of  the  superior  board  of  health  upon  the 
payment  of  the  fee  for  the  issue  and  registration  of  the  same.     Medical. officers,  serv- 
ing in  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States,  or  in  the  United  States  Marine-Hos- 
pital Service,  are  exempt  from  the  requirements  of  this  paragraph. 

XV.  For  the  purpose  of  advertising  the  first  examinations  and  for  necessary  sta- 
tionery, an  appropriation  of  $100  is  made. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

C.  H.  HEYL, 
Major,  Inspector-General,  T.  S.  A.,  Acting  Adjutant-General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  "I  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  191.  I  S«i>  Juan,  Xoccmber  27,  1899. 

I.  Paragraphs  XII  and  XIV,  General  Orders,  No/ 153,  current  series,  these  head- 
quarters, are  revoked,  and  the  following  substituted  therefor: 

"  XII.  Applicants  who  possess  diplomas  from  reputable  medical  or  dental  colleges 
or  schools  of  pharmacy,  and  who  have  been  licensed  by  State  boards,  may,  upon  the 
payment  of  the  fee  of  $25,  be  licensed  by  the  superior  board  of  health  without 
examination,  if  the  superior  board  of  health  so  decides." 

"XIV.  No  person  shall  practice  medicine  and  surgery  or  the  other  branches 
enumerated  in  this  order,  in  Porto  Rico,  until  the  provisions  of  this  order  are  com- 
plied with,  except  such  persons  as  had  secured  the  right  by  license  or  toleration 
under  the  Spanish  Government  in  Porto  Rico,  or  had  been  duly  authorized  to  prac- 
tice by  the  military  government  of  the  United  States  previous  to  July  1,  1899.  These 
must  procure  a  license  from  the  superior  board  of  health,  which  they  will  receive 
upon  the  payment  of  the  fee  of  $5,  for  the  issue  and  registration  of  the  same:  7Vo- 
vided,  That  'this  order  does  not  prohibit  practice  in  consultation  only,  by  distin- 
guished members  of  the  medical  profession  who  may  be  temporarily  sojourning  in 
Porto  Rico,  or  who  may  be  called  from  abroad  for  this  specific  purpose. 

"  Medical .  officers  serving  in  the  Army  or  Navy  of  the  United  States,  or  in  the 
United  States  Marine-Hospital  Service,  are  exempt  from  the  requirements  of  this 
paragraph." 


EEPOKT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        57 

II.  Paragraph  I,  of  the  Spanish  translation  of  General  Orders,  No.  170,  current 
series,  these  headquarters,  is  hereby  amended  to  read  with  the  words  Disenteria  epi- 
demica  omitted;  in  order  that  the  same  may  conform  to  the  English  text. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  163.          J  SAN  JUAN,  October  14,  1899. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

III.  Any  person  guilty  of  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  General  Orders,  No. 
153,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters  September  30,  1899,  shall  upon  convic- 
tion thereof  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $10  or  more  than  $200,  United 
States  currency,  or  imprisonment  for  not  less  than  ten  or  more  than  ninety  days,  or 
by  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

The  district  courts  instituted  by  General  Orders,  No.  114,  current  series,  from  these 
headquarters,  shall  have  jurisdiction  in  cases  arising  under  this  order,  subject  to  the 
provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  88,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters. 

*  *  *  *  %      *  *  * 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis. 

C.  H.  HEYL, 

Lieutenant- Colonel,  Inspector- General,  U.  S.  V.,  Acting  Adjutant- General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  170.  )  SAN  JUAN,  October  24,  1899. 

The  folio  wing  is  published  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  all  concerned: 

INTERIOR   QUARANTINE. 

Certain  diseases  are  so  readily  communicated  from  person  to  person,  or  pass 
through  whole  communities  in  some  way  yet  unknown  to  the  medical  profession, 
that  physicians  and  educated  laymen  alike  agree  that  restrictive  measures  are  neces- 
sary to  prevent  the  spread  of  these  diseases,  and  the  consequent  loss  of  life  and  the 
demoralization  of  business  which  almost  always  follow  the  advent  of  epidemic 
diseases.  With  these  facts  in  mind,  the  superior  board  of  health  advises  the  promul- 
gation of  the  following  measures  for  interior  quarantine: 

CONTAGIOUS   AND    INFECTIOUS   DISEASES. 

1.  The  following  diseases  are  considered  quarantinable,  and  for  the  protection  of 
the  public  health  are  placed  under  control  of  boards  of  health,  viz:  Cholera,  small- 
pox, diphtheria,  scarlet  fever,  typhus  fever,  yellow  fever,  epidemic  cerebro-spinal 
fever,  leprosy,  glanders,  and  oriental  or  bubonic  plague. 

PHYSICIANS   TO    MAKE   CERTAIN   REPORTS. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  practicing  physician  in  Porto  Rico  to  report  imme- 
diately to  the  board  of  health  or  other  authority,  and  to  the  superior  board  of  health, 
by  telegraph  or  in  the  most  expeditious  way,  every  -case  of  yellow  fever,  smallpox,  or 
other  quarantinable  disease  which  comes  within  his  knowledge. 

3.  Local  boards  of  health,  municipal  health  officers,  or  other  proper  authorities  in 
the  island  of  Porto  Rico  must  immediately  notify  the  superior  board  of  health  by 
telegraph  or  by  letter  of  the  existence  of  any  of  the  above-named  quarantinable 
diseases  in  their  respective  localities. 

4.  Whenever  a  physician  shall  report  a  suspicious  case  of  disease,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  board  of  health,  city  physician,  or  other  proper  authority,  to  take  such 
suitable  precautions  as  shall  be  judged  best  for  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants,  by 
isolating  it  at  the  home  of  the  patient  or  by  removing  the  patient  to  a  hospital,  or 
other  suitable  place,  until  further  instructions  are  received  from  the  superior  board 
of  health. 

5.  All  persons  practicing  medicine  and  surgery,  or,  in  their  absence,  any  head  of  a 
family  in  Porto  Rico,  who  shall  visit  or  be  visited  by  any  person  suffering  from  any 


58       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

one  of  the  quarantinable  diseases  mentioned  in  paragraph  1  of  this  order,  shall  at 
once  report  it  in  writing  to  the  board  of  health  or  the  health  officer  in  their  district, 
signing  the  report  with  their  own  name,  and  stating  the  age,  sex,  color,  occupation, 
and  residence  of  the  patient. 

GENERAL   REGULATIONS. 

6.  Upon  receipt  by  a  board  of  health,  or  by  a  health  officer,  or  by  other  proper 
authority  of  the  report  of  the  existence  of  a  case  of  quarantinable  disease,  there  shall 
within  twenty-four  hours  after  its  verification  be  caused  to  be  placed  upon  the  house, 
room,   or  premises,  where  the  disease  exists,  a  yellow  placard,  on  which  shall  be 
printed  in  large  letters  the  name  of  the  disease,  and  this  placard  shall  be  removed 
only  by  authority  of  the  health  officer:  Provided,  however,  That  in  lieu  of  a  placard 
a  guard  or  guards  may  be  placed  upon  the  house  by  the  board  of  health. 

7.  The  head  of  the  family  shall  be  liable  to  fine  or  imprisonment  should  any  such 
placard  upon  his  or  her  house  be  unlawfully  removed,  defaced,  covered  up,  "taken 
down,  or  destroyed  with  his  or  her  consent. 

8.  Bodies  of  persons  dead  of  quarantinable  diseases  should  be  at  once,  without 
washing,  wrapped  in  a  sheet  saturated  with  a  strong  solution  of  mercuric  chloride,  1 
to  500,  and  placed  in  a  coffin,  in  which  it  shall  be  buried  within  twelve  hours  after 
death. 

9.  The  interment  of  a  body  dead  of  a  quarantinable  disease  must  be  strictly  private, 
and  maybe  attended  only  by  the  immediate  relatives  and  the  necessary  cotfin  bearers. 
The  body  must  not  be  taken  into  any  church,  chapel,  public  hall,  or  public  building 
for  the  holding  of  funeral  services.     No  head  of  a  family,  no  undertaker  who  offici- 
ates, and  no  sexton,  janitor,  or  person  in  charge  of  the  church,  chapel,  or  public 
building,  shall  violate  any  of  these  provisions. 

10.  All  draperies  should  be  removed  from  the  hearse  used  to  convey  the  body  of  a 
person  dead  of  a  quarantinable  disease,  and  it  and  the  carriages  employed  to  convey 
the  mourners  to  the  cemetery  shall  immediately  thereafter  be  thoroughly  disinfected 
by  the  undertaker,  as  required  by  the  health  officer. 

11.  After  the  termination  of  a  case  of  quarantinable  disease,  the  premises  where 
such  disease  existed  shall  be  thoroughly  disinfected,  as  the  health  officer  shall  direct, 
and  the  bedding,  clothing,  and  other  infected  articles  destroyed  or  disinfected,  as  he 
shall  require.     (See  paragraphs  48  and  49  of  this  order.) 

12.  The  children  or  persons  belonging  to  or  residing  with  a  family  in  which  a 
quarantinable  disease  exists  shall  not  be  permitted  to  attend  any  public,  private, 
parochial,  Sunday,  or  other  school,  and  all  school  principals,  superintendents,  or 
other  persons  in  charge  of  such  schools,  are  required  to  exclude  such  children  or  per- 
sons therefrom  until  such  time  as  the  health  officer  or  other  authorized  person  shall 
give  the  exposed  children  or  other  persons  a  certificate  that  they  are  free  to  enter 
school. 

13.  In  all  cities  of  over  10,000  population  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  health  officer 
to  furnish  daily,  by  mail  or  otherwise,  to  the  superior  board  of  health,  a  written  or 
printed  notice  containing  the  names  and  residence  of  all  children  suffering  from  any 
quarantinable  disease  mentioned  in  paragraph  1  of  this  order. 

14.  It  is  expressly  forbidden  that  any  person  suffering  from  any  of  the  quaran- 
tinable diseases  mentioned  in  paragraph  1  of  this  order  shall  willingly  expose  him- 
self or  herself  in  any  street  or  public  place  or  in  any  public  conveyance;  neither 
shall  any  person  in  charge  of  one  so  suffering  thus  expose  the  sufferer. 

15.  No  person  suffering  from  any  of  the  quarantinable  diseases  enumerated  in 
paragraph  1  of  this  order  shall  enter  or  hire  any  public  vehicle,  car,  steamboat,  or 
other  means  of  public  conveyance,  without  first  notifying  the  owner  or  person  in 
charge  of  said  conveyance  of  his  disease.     Immediately  after  the  sick  person  leaves 
the  conveyance  it  shall  be  disinfected,  as  the  health  officer  shall  direct. 

16.  No  person  suffering  from  a  quarantinable  disease  shall  knowingly  be  permitted 
to  pass  from  one  town  or  district  to  another,  and  no  common  carrier  shall  accept 
such  person  as  a  passenger  except  on  an  order  of  the  superior  board  of  health. 

17.  No  person  shall  give,  lend,  sell,  transmit  by  mail,  express,  or  otherwise,  any 
bedding,  rags,  clothing,  or  any  other  articles  whicli  have  been  exposed  to  infection 
through  the  quarantinable  diseases  mentioned  in  paragraph  1  of  this  order. 

18.  No  person  shall  knowingly  let  any  room,  house,  or  part  of  a  house,  in  which 
there  has  been  a  person  suffering  from  any  of  the  quarantinable  diseases  mentioned 
in  paragraph  1  of  this  order  without  having  such  room,  house,  or  part  of  a  house, 
and  all  articles  therein  liable  to  infection,  previously  disinfected,  as  directed  by  the 
health  officer. 

19.  Upon  the  death  of  a  person  from  tuberculosis,  the  attending  physician  should 
immediately  report  the  fact  to  the  local  health  authorities,  who  shall  cause  the 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        59 

apartments  and  contents  occupied  and  used  by  the  deceased  to  be  disinfected,  objec- 
tionable articles  destroyed,  and  the  walls  and  floors  scraped  and  painted  or  white- 
washed. 

VACCINATION   COMPULSORY. 

20.  All  infants  must  be  vaccinated  before  reaching  the  age  of  6  months,  and  all 
inmates  of  public  institutions  at  time  of  admission.     All  employers  of  labor  are 
required  to  see  that  all  their  employees  are  properly  vaccinated. 

21.  No  person,  teacher,  or  scholar  who  has  not  had  smallpox  shall  become  a  mem- 
ber of  any  school  until  vaccinated,  and  until  he  or  she  shall  show  to  the  principal  of 
the  school  a  certificate  of  successful  vaccination.     Principals  of  schools  are  required 
to  demand  certificates  of  vaccination  from  their  pupils. 

22.  The  school  directors  or  other  persons  in  charge  of  schools  are  required  to 
demand  certificates  of  vaccination  of  all  teachers  who  have  not  had  smallpox  before 
granting  them  appointments  to  teach. 

YELLOW    FEVER. 

23.  Yellow  fever  is  an  infectious  but  controllable  disease.     Its  germs  probably 
pass  from  the  body  of  those  infected  in  all  of  the  excretions. 

24.  When  the  excretions  become  dry  on  clothing  or  on  floors,  etc.,  they  form  dust, 
which  enters  the  air  and  thence  the  human  body.     It  is  probable  that,  in  the  main, 
the  disease  is  spread  in  this  manner,  but  it  may  possibly  also  be  disseminated  by 
particles  entering  food  and  drink. 

25.  The  control  of  the  disease  in  any  single  case  rests  in  confining  the  germs  to  the 
clothing  of  the  patient,  or  at  the  least  by  not  letting  them  escape  from  the  sick  room. 

26.  When  yellow  fever  is  threatened,  boards  of  health  should  secure  vacant  houses 
in  especially  isolated  localities.     These  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  and  white- 
washed. 

27.  In  case  such  houses  can  not  be  found,  temporary  hospitals  or  tents  may  be 
erected. 

28.  Nurses  who  are  immune  from  this  disease  should  be  secured  for  the  emergency. 

29.  It  should  be  seen  that  there  is  a  liberal  supply  of  bichloride  of  mercury  in  the 
city  or  town;  also  of  lime  for  whitewashing. 

30.  Where  sanitary  rules  and  regulations  are  best  observed  yellow  fever  does  not 
reside,  and  if  introduced,  seldom  remains  long. 

31.  The  period  of  incubation  is  five  days.     All  persons  who  have  been  exposed 
should  be  held  under  the  strictest  quarantine  for  this  period.     Laundresses  who  have 
washed  for  suspects  have  been  exposed  to  possible  infection. 

32.  Patients  may  be  safely  moved  for  the  first  two  days  of  their  sickness.     They 
should  be  carried  on  a  comfortable  litter,  and  not  allowed  to  sit  up  or  to  exert  them- 
selves in  the  least.     A  clean  nightshirt  should  always  be  placed  on  the  patient  before 
moving  him.     All  his  bedding  and  night  clothes  should  be  left  in  his  room  to  be 
disinfected  or  burned. 

33.  Houses  from  which  the  sick  have  been  removed  should  be  disinfected  by  burn- 
ing sulphur  in  them  for  twelve  hours,  or  formaldehyde  may  be  used  as  a  disinfectant. 
The  house  and  the  surroundings  should  also  be  thoroughly  cleaned.     (See  paragraphs 
48  and  49  of  this  order. ) 

34.  Nurses  must  not  wear  woolen  clothing  of  any  kind.     They  should  change  their 
clothing  whenever  it  becomes  in  the  least  soiled,  and  always  twice  a  day,  when 
nursing  yellow-fever  cases, 'and  the  discarded  clothing  must  be  placed  in  bichloride 
solution. 

35.  Whenever  nurses  handle  the  patient  or  his  excreta,  they  should  at  once  wash 
their  hands  in  a  disinfecting  solution. 

MANAGEMENT   OF    A    CASE   OF   YELLOW    FEVER   IN    THE   PATIENT'S   O\VN   HOUSE. 

36.  A  sanitary  inspector,  who  is  immune  and  who  can  be  absolutely  relied  upon, 
should  be  placed  in  the  house,  and  he  should  prevent  anyone  from  entering  or  leav- 
ing it.     A  card  with  "  Yellow  Fever"  printed  in  large  letters,  should  be  placed 
upon  the  house.     But  one  member  of  the  family  should  be  allowed  to  act  as  nurse. 
Other  members  of  the  family  should  not  visit  the  sick  room  or  leave  the  premises. 
In  cases  of  crowded  houses  inmates  should  be  removed  to  the  country  and  held  in 
quarantine  in  an  isolated  place  for  ten  days. 

37.  Select  the  most  suitable  room  in  the  house,  from  which  remove  all  unnecessary 
furniture,  rugs,  and  ornaments.     Change  the  patient's  shirt,  carry  him  into  the  room, 
and  place  him  in  a  clean  bed. 


60   EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

38.  In  this  room  the  fight  must  be  made  and  won.     Success  depends  upori  destroy- 
ing the  germs,  which,  emanating  from  the  patient's  excretions,  lodge  in  the  clothing, 
bedding,  bedpans,  etc.,  and  infect  the  air  of  the  room  and  the  whole  house.     These 
germs  are  destroyed  by  placing  all  clothing,  bedding,  and  excreta  from  the  patient 
in  tubs  or  vessels  containing  strong  disinfectants. 

MANAGEMENT   OF    PATIENT'S   CLOTHING    IN   CASES   OF   YELLOW   FEVER. 

39.  Have  in  the  sick  room  a  large  tub  one-third  full  of  solution  of  mercuric  chloride 
and  hydrochloric  acid,  1  to  1,000,  made  by  adding  1  dram  each  of  the  bichloride 
and  hydrochloric  acid  to  1  gallon  of  water.     The  bedclothing,  the  patient's  cloth- 
ing, the  rugs,  towels,  handkerchiefs,  etc.,  used  for  cleaning  and  sponging,  must  be 
placed  at  once  in  the  tub  of  disinfectant  solution  upon  being  removed  from  the 
patient,     These  should  remain  in  the  solution  at  least  five  hours,  when  they  maybe 
wrung  out  and  washed.     The  tub  should  be  emptied  into  the  privy,  and,  after  being 
washed  inside  and  out  with  bichloride  solution,  should  again  be  placed  in  the  sick 
room  and  filled  with  disinfectant  solution.     If  a  quilt  or  mattress  is  soiled,  it  should 
be  thoroughly  washed,  where  soiled,  wTith  bichloride  solution.     Very  much  soiled 
articles  should  be  burned.     If  clothing  is  changed  twice  a  day  and  carefully  placed 
in  the  disinfectant  solution,  the  germs  will  be  destroyed  and  will  not  get  into  the 
room  to  spread  the  disease.      If  clothing  is  soiled  with  faeces,  urine,  or  vomit,  it 
should  be  changed  at  once  and  placed  in  the  tub  of  disinfectant. 

DISPOSITION   OF   THE   EXCRETA    AND   WASTE   IN   CASES   OF   YELLOW   FEVER. 

40.  Have  ready  a  gallon  of  a  solution  of  acid  mercuric  chloride,  1  to  500,  made  by 
placing  2  drams  each  of  mercuric  chloride  and  hydrochloric  acid  in  a  gallon  of 
water.     Mix  the  urine  at  once,  when  passed,  with  an  equal  amount  of  this  solution. 
Treat  the  faeces  in  the  same  manner  and  let  the  mixture  stand  at  least  five  hours 
before  throwing  it  into  the  privy.      If  the  faeces  are  solid,  break  them  up  and 
let  them  stand  in  the  vessel  for  seven  hours,  then  throw  the  contents  into  the  privy. 
Wash  the  chamber  vessel  inside  and  out  with  the  disinfectant  solution  every  time 'it 
is  emptied. 

41.  In  place  of  handkerchiefs  use  rags,  which  burn  at  once  after  using.     Treat  all 
vomited  matter  and  all  discharges  from  the  nose  and  mouth  'the  same  as  urine  or 
faeces,  by  disinfecting  in  the  bichloride  solution. 

42.  Should  any  faeces,  urine,   vomit,  or  sputum  get  upon  the  floor,  furniture,  or 
walls,  wash  it  off  with  a  rag  saturated  with  the  bichloride  solution  and  place  the  rag 
in  the  disinfectant  solution. 

43.  The  water  used  to  sponge  the  patient  and  to  rinse  out  his  mouth,  as  well  as  the 
moppings  and  washings  of  floors  and  furniture,  should  all  be  placed  in  the  bichlo- 
ride solution  for  five  hours  before  being  thrown  out.     The  room  must  never  be 
swept,  but  mopped  up  with  a  mop  wet  with  a  solution  of  bichloride,  1  to  1,000. 

44.  Glasses,  spoons,  plates,  etc.,  used  about  the  patient  and  in  the  room  must  be 
boiled  each  time  after  such  use.     The  nurses'  clothing  must  be  placed  in  the  bichlo- 
ride solution  at  once  on  being  changed. 

45.  The  nurses  must  keep  their  hands  absolutely  clean. 

THE    DISINFECTION   OF   A    PATIENT   AFTER    RECOVERY    FROM    YELLOW    FEVER. 

46.  When  a  patient  has  recovered  wash  him  all  over  with  a  tepid  solution  of  mer- 
curic chloride,  1  to  1,000,  and  follow  this  with  a  wash  of  tepid  water,  under  direction 
of  attending  physician.     Place  on  him  clean,  disinfected  clothes.     Disinfect  all  the 
bedding,  clothing,  etc.     Burn  all  toys,  books,  etc.,  used  by  the  patient. 

DISPOSAL   OF   THE   CORPSE. 

47.  See  paragraphs  8  and  9  of  this  order. 

DISINFECTION    OF   THE   ROOM    IX    WHICH     A     I'ATIKNT    HAS    BEEN  SICK    WITH    YELLOW  FEVER. 

48.  The  openings  of  the  room  should  all  be  closed,  drawers  and  closets  should  all 
be  opened,  and  sulphur  should  be  burned  in  the  room  at  the  rate  of  not  less  than  6 
pounds  for  each  1,000  cubic  feet  of  space.     The  sulphur  is  ignited  by  adding  a  little 
alcohol  or  kerosene.     The  room  should  be  closed  for  twenty-four  hours  and  then 
thrown  open.     After  thorough  ventilation  for  twenty- four  hours,  the  walls,  floors, 


KEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        61 

ceilings,  and  furniture  should  be  well  sprinkled  with  a  solution  of  mercuric  chloride, 
1  to  1,000,  and  afterwards  washed  down  with  warm  water. 

49.  If  the  walls  are  papered  the  paper  should  be  torn  off  and  burned;  if  the  walls 
are  plastered  they  should  be  given  a  coat  of  whitewash. 

CASES   OF    YELLOW    FEVER    AMONG   THE    POOR. 

50.  The  most  difficult  cases  are  those  occurring  among  the  poor.    Boards  of  health 
which  guard  the  public  welfare  must  provide  nurses,  houses,  or  tents  for  the  patients 
and  also  for  the  families  (which  must  be  isolated),  clothing  for  patients  and  suspects, 
physicians,  food — in  a  word,  all  the  appliances  necessary  to  fight  and  conquer  the 
disease  and  maintain  the  lives  of  the  infected  people.  -  All  this  must  be  done  at  the 
public  expense,  because  thereby  the  public  is  protected.     A  strict  compliance  with 
these  suggestions  should  prevent  the  spread  of  yellow  fever. 

PREVENTION    OF    BLINDNESS. 

51.  Thirty  per  cent  or  more  of  existing  blindness  has  been  shown  to  be  due  to 
infection  of  the  eyes  at  or  shortly  after  birth.     This  infection  being  readily  amenable 
to  treatment,  it  is  ordered  that  whenever  in  any  city,  district,  or  place  in  this  island 
any  nurse,  midwife,  or  other  person,  not  a  legally  qualified  practitioner  of  medicine, 
shall  notice  any  inflammation  of  the  eyes  or  redness  of  the  lids  in  a  newborn  child 
under  his  or  her  care,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  such  person  to  report  the  same  to  some 
legally  qualified  practitioner  of  medicine  within  twelve  hours  of  the  time  the  dis- 
ease is  first  noticed. 

52.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  legally  qualified  practitioner  of  medicine  to  treat 
all  cases  of  "opthalmia  neonatorum"  by  the  Crede  method,  which  is  as  follows  : 

53.  Gently  open  the  lids  and  wash  out  the  eyes  with  pure  lukewarm  water,  which 
has  been  boiled,  using  a  clean  soft  piece  of  old  linen  or  muslin  or  a  pledget  of  absorb- 
ent cotton,  but  do  not  use  a  sponge. 

54.  Then  immediately  drop  in  each  eye  one  or  two  drops  of  a  1  per  cent  solu- 
tion of  nitrate  of  silver  and  continue  its  use  so  long  as  it  may  be  necessary. 

55.  Half  an  hour  after  each  application  of  the  silver  solution  wash  the  eyes  with 
warm  salt  and  water,  (a  teaspoonful  of  table  salt  to  a  pint  of  boiled  water)  or  with  a 
solution  of  boric  acid  (10  grains  to  2  tablespoonfuls  of  boiled  water),  and  continue 
this  last  application  every  hour  or  two  until  the  eyes  are  well,  gradually  lengthening 
the  time. 

56.  This  disease  is  very  contagious,  even  to  grown  persons;  therefore  burn  or  boil 
all  cloths  that  have  touched  the  eyes,  avoid  kissing  the  child,  wash  the  hands  after 
bathing  the  child's  eyes,  and  allow  no  one  else  to  use  the  same  basin  in  which  the 
child  is  bathed. 

PENALTY. 

57.  Any  .person  guilty  of  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  order  shall, 
upon  conviction  thereof,  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $10  nor  more  than 
$200,  United  States  currency,  or  imprisonment  for  not  less  than  ten  nor  more  than 
ninety  days,  or  by  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

58.  The  district  courts  instituted  by  General  Orders,  No.  114,  current  series,  from 
these  headquarters,  shall  have  jurisdiction  in  cases  arising  under  this  order,  subject 
to  the  provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  88,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

C.  H.  HEYL, 
Lieutenant- Colonel,  Inspector-General,  U.  S.  V., 

Acting  Adjutant-General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  181.  J  San  Juan,  November  18,  1899. 

Paragraph  XI,  General  Orders,"  No.  102,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters 
is  amended  to  read  as  follows: 

To  require  all  health  officers,  health  boards,  alcaldes,  and  municipal  judges  through- 
out the  island  to  forward  to  the  superior  board  of  health  copies  of  all  their  sanitary 
and  vital  statistics  reports  and  publications  and  such  other  sanitary  information  as 
it  may  request.  To  require  municipal  judges,  or  other  proper  officers,  to  report  to 


62   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

the  superior  board  of  health  monthly  the  names  of  all  foreigners  dying  in  their 
municipalities,  together  with  the  age,  nativity,  occupation,  cause  and  place  of  death, 
and  place  of  interment,  so  far  as  these  can  be  ascertained. 

To  require  reports  and  information  concerning  such  matters  or  particulars,  in 
respect  to  which,  it  may,  in  its  opinion,  need  information  for  the  proper  discharge 
of  its  duties,  from  all  public  dispensaries,  hospitals,  asylums,  infirmaries,  prisons, 
penitentiaries,  schools,  and  from  the  managers,  principals,  and  officers  thereof,  and 
from  all  other  public  institutions,  their  officers  and  managers,  and  from  the  proprie- 
tors, managers,  lessees,  and  occupants  of  all  places  of  public  resort  throughout  the 
island. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  221.  j  San  Juan,  December  19,  1899. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  the  following  order  is 
published  for  the  information  of  all  concerned: 

I.  Glanders,  anthrax,  hydrophobia,  and  tuberculosis  are  diseases  of  domestic  ani- 
mals dangerous  to  human  beings. 

II.  Any  animals  believed  to  be  suffering  from  hydrophobia  must  be  killed  at  once 
and  burned  or  buried  deeply  in  the  earth.     Owners  of  "mad"  dogs  must  not  tie 
them  up,  but  must  kill  them  at  once. 

III.  Any  domestic  animal  suffering  from  glanders,  anthrax,   or  tuberculosis  is 
declared  to  be  a  nuisance,  dangerous  to  public  health,  and  should  be  killed  and 
buried  or  burned  in  order  that  the  disease  may  not  spread  to  other  animals,  or  to 
human  beings. 

IV.  Whenever  an  animal  is  reported  to  an  alcalde  or  board  of  health  to  be  suf- 
fering from  a  dangerous  disease,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  alcalde  or  board  of  health 
to  notify  the  municipal  physician  to  inspect  the  animal  and  report  the  disease  from 
which  it  suffers. 

V.  In  case  the  animal  has  glanders,  anthrax,  or  tuberculosis,  the  alcalde  shall 
appoint  a  jury  of  three  intelligent  and  upright  citizens  of  the  barrio  in  which  the 
owner  lives,  who  shall  proceed  to  view  the  animal  and  to  appraise  it,  the  actual  value 
of  the  animal  at  that  time  being  stated,  and  not  the  value  before  it  was  taken  with 
the  disease.     The  value  placed  upon  the  animal  shall  be  set  down  and  the  paper 
signed  by  all  the  appraisers  and  then  given  to  the  alcalde. 

VI.  Immediately   after    the  appraisement  the   owner  shall  kill  the  animal  and 
burn  or  bury  it  deep  in  the  earth. 

VII.  The  alcalde  shall  give  to  the  owner  a  voucher  or  bill  for  two-thirds  of  the 
appraised  value  of  the  animal.     This  voucher  shall  be  paid  by  the  municipal  treas- 
urer from  any  unappropriated  moneys  in  his  hands. 

VIII.  The  alcalde  shall  at  once  forward  to  the  superior  board  of  health  in  San 
Juan  the  number  of  animals  killed,  the  name  of  the  diseases  from  which  they  suf- 
fered, and  the  appraised  value  of  the  same. 

IX.  In  case  the  municipal  physician  is  unable  to  diagnose  the  diseases  from  which 
animals  suffer,  the  superior  board  of  health  may  send  an  expert  inspector  who  shall 
examine  the  cases  and  report  to  said  board.     Such  inspectors  shall  be  paid  from  the 
appropriation  of  the  superior  board  of  health  made  for  this  purpose. 

X.  In  case  any  inspector  shall  report  to  the  superior  board  of  health  the  existence 
of  any  of  the  above-named  diseases  in  any  .portion  of  Porto  Rico,  the  secretary  of  said 
board  shall  notify  the  alcalde  in  whose  jurisdiction  the  animals  are  to  appraise  and 
have  the  same  killed,  which  the  alcalde  shall  at  once  proceed  to  do. 

PENALTY. 

XI.  Any  persons  guilty  of  the  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  order  shall, 
upon  conviction  thereof,  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $10  nor  more  than 
$200,  United  States  currency,  or  imprisonment  for  not  less  than  ten  nor  more  than 
ninety  days,  or  by  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

The  district  courts  instituted  by  General  Orders,  No.  114,  current  series,  from  these 
headquarters  shall  have  jurisdiction  in  cases  arising  under  this  on  In.  subject  to  the 
provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  88,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  A<tj<it<int-C<'.neral. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        63 

CIRCULAR)  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  44.    J  San  Juan,  December  14,  1899. 

The  -superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico  has  submitted  the  following  rules  gov- 
erning vaccination,  which  are  approved,  and  will  be  obeyed  to  enable  the  require- 
ments of  paragraphs  20,  21,  and  22,  of  General  Orders,  No.  170,  current  series,  from 
these  headquarters  to  be  carried  out: 

1.  A  certificate  of  vaccination  will  be  given  without  charge  by  the  municipal  phy- 
sician to  all  persons  successfully  vaccinated  by  him  or  his  assistants. 

2.  Vaccinators  will  report  monthly  to  the  municipal  judge  and  to  the  secretary  of 
the  superior  board  of  health,  on  blanks  supplied  by  that  board,  the  names  of  all  per- 
sons successfully  vaccinated. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  alcalde  to  appoint  one  or  more  public  vaccinators, 
and  to  announce  to  all  the  people  of  his  municipality,  by  hand  bills  and  by  adver- 
tisement in  the  papers,  the  places  and  dates  where  the  vaccinations  will  be  performed. 

4.  The  superior  board  of  health  will  furnish  virus  free  to  all  municipal  physicians, 
who  are  required  to  vaccinate,  free  of  expense,  all  persons  who  apply  to  them  at  the 
appointed  places,  on  the  dates  set  by  that  board.     The  board  will  also  furnish  blank 

,  certificates  and  all  other  necessary  blanks. 

PENALTY. 

5.  Any  person  guilty  of  the  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  circular  shall, 
upon  conviction  thereof,  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $10  nor  more  than 
$200.  United  States  currency,  or  imprisonment  for  not  less  than  ten  nor  more  than 
ninety  days,  or  by  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

6.  The  district  courts  instituted  by  General  Orders,  No.  114,  current  series,  from 
these  headquarters  shall  have  jurisdiction  in  cases  arising  under  this  order,  subject 
to  the  provisions  of  General  Orders  No.  88,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters. 

7.  The  superior  board  of  health  will  supply  free  virus  to  all  municipal  physicians 
on  the  following  dates: 

1)  Adjuntas,  January  1  to  15  and  August  1  to  15, 1900. 

2 )  Aibonito,  January  1  to  15  and  August  1  to  15, 1900. 

3)  Aguada,  January  1  to  15  and  August  1  to  15, 1900. 

4)  Aguadilla,  January  1  to  15  and  August  1  to  15, 1900. 

(5)  Aguas  Buenas,  January  1  to  15  and  August  1  to  15, 1900. 

(6)  Anasco,  January  1  to  15  and  August  1  to  15, 1900. 

(7)  Arecibo,  January  16  to  31  and  August  16  to  August  31, 1900. 

(8)  Arroyo,  January  16  to  31  and  August  16  to  31, 1900. 

(9)  Barranquitas,  January  16  to  31  and  August  16  to  31, 1900. 

(10)  Barros,  January  16  to  31  and  August  16  to  31, 1900. 

(11)  Barceloneta,  January  16  to  31  and  August  16  to  31, 1900. 

(12)  Bayamon,  January  16  to  31  and  August  16  to  31, 1900. 

13)  Carolina,  February  1  to  14  and  September  1  to  15, 1900. 

14)  Caguas,  February  1  to  14  and  September  1  to  15, 1900. 

15)  Ciales,  February  1  to  14  and  September  1  to  15, 1900. 

16)  Camuy,  February  1  to  14  and  September  1  to  15, 1900. 

(17)  Corozal,  February  1  to  14  and  September  1  to  15, 1900. 

(18)  Cabo  Rojo,  February  1  to  14  and  September  1  to  15, 1900. 

(19)  Coamo,  February  1  to  14  and  September  1  to  15, 1900. 

(20)  Cayey,  February  15  to  March  1  and  September  16  to  30, 1900. 

(21)  Cidra,  February  15  to  March  1  and  September  16  to  30, 1900. 

(22)  Comerio,  February  15  to  March  1  and  September  16  to  30, 1900. 

(23)  Culebra,  February  15  to  March  1  and  September  16  to  30, 1900. 

(24)  Dorado,  February  15  to  March  1  and  September  16  to  30, 1900. 

(25)  Fajardo,  February  15  to  March  1  and  September  16  to  30, 1900. 

(26)  Guayama,  March"  1  to  15  and  October  1  to  15, 1900. 

(27)  Guayanilla,  March  1  to  15  and  October  1  to  15, 1900. 

(28)  Gurabo,  March  1  to  15  and  October  1  to  15, 1900. 

(29)  Hatillo,  March  1  to  15  and  October  ]  to  15, 1900. 

(30)  Hato-grande,  March  1  to  15  and  October  1  to  15, 1900. 

(31)  Humacao,  March  1  to  15  and  October  1  to  15, 1900. 

(32)  Isabela,  March  16  to  31  and  October  16  to  31, 1900. 

(33)  Juana  Diaz,  March  16  to  31  and  October  16  to  31, 1900. 

(34)  Juncos,  March  16  to  31  and  October  16  to  31, 1900. 

(35)  Lares,  March  16  to  31  and  October  16  to  31, 1900. 

(36)  Las  Marias,  March  16  to  31  and  October  16  to  31, 1900. 

(37)  Lajas,  March  16  to  31  and  October  16  to  31, 1900. 


64   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

(38)  Manati,  April  1  to  15  and  November  1  to  15, 1900. 

(39)  Morovis,  April  1  to  15  and  November  1  to  15, 1900. 

(40)  Mayagiiez,  April  1  to  15  and  November  1  to  15, 1900. 

(41 )  Maricao,  April  1  to  15  and  November  1  to  15, 1900. 

(42)  Maunabo,  April  1  to  15  and  November  1  to  15, 1900. 

(43)  Moca,  April  1  to  15  and  November  1  to  15, 1900. 

(44)  Naguabo,  April  16  to  30  and  November  16  to  30, 1900. 

(45)  Naranjito,  April  16  to  30  and  November  16  to  30, 1900. 

(46)  Patillas,  April  16  to  30  and  November  16  to  30, 1900. 

(47)  Penuelas,  April  16  to  30  and  November  16  to  30, 1900. 

(48)  Piedras,  April  16  to  30  and  November  16  to  30, 1900. 

(49)  Ponce,  April  16  to  30  and  November  16  to  30. 1900. 

(50)  Quebradillas,  May  1  to  15  and  November  16  to  30, 1900.    , 

(51)  Rio  Grande,  May  1  to  15  and  November  16  to  30, 1900. 

(52)  Rio  Piedras,  May  1  to  15  and  December  1  to  15, 1900. 

(53)  Rincon,  May  1  to  15  and  December  1  to  15, 1900. 

(54)  San  Sebastian,  May  1  to  15  and  December  1  to  15, 1900. 

(55)  Sabana  Grande,  May  1  to  15  and  December  1  to  15, 1900. 

(56)  San  German,  May  16  to  30  and  December  1  to  15, 1900. 

(57)  Salinas,  May  16  to  30  and  December  1  to  15, 1900. 
(5.8)  San  Juan,  May  16  to  30  and  December  1  to  15, 1900. 

59)  Santa  Isabel,  May  16  to  30  and  December  1  to  15, 1900. 

60)  Toa  Alta,  May  16  to  30  and  December  16  to  31, 1900. 

61)  Toa  Baja,  May  16  to  30  and  December  16  to  31, 1900. 

(62)  Utuado,  June  1  to  15  and  December  16  to  31, 1900. 

(63)  Vega  Alta,  June  1  to  15  and  December  16  to  31, 1900. 

(64)  Vega  Baja,  June  1  to  15  and  December  16  to  31, 1900. 

(65)  Vieques,  June  1  to  15  and  December  16  to  31, 1900. 

(66)  Yabucoa,  June  1  to  15  and  December  16  to  31, 1900. 

(67)  Yauco,  June  1  to  15  and  December  16  to  31, 1900. 
By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  28.  }  San  Juan,  February  7,  1900. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  the  following  order  is 
published  for  the  information  of  all  concerned: 

I.  The  superior  board  of  health  will,  from  time  to  time,  publish  in  the  Official 
Gazette  and  by  circulars  the  names  of  all  physicians  and  surgeons,  dentists,  pharma- 
cists, practicantes,  midwives,  and  nurses  who  have  secured  licenses  to  practice  their 
respective  professions  or  callings  in  Porto  Rico,  according  to  the  provisions  of  Gen- 
eral Orders,  No.  153  and  191,  series  1899,  these  headquarters. 

II.  It  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  all  alcaldes  in  Porto  Rico  to  notify  each  and 
every  person  whose  name  does  not  appear  in  the  aforesaid  lists,  and  who  shall 
attempt  to  practice  medicine  and  surgery,  pharmacy,  dentistry,  minor  surgery,  mid- 
wifery, or  professional  nursing  in  their  respective  municipalities,  to  at  once  desist 
from  same  until  the  provisions  of  the  above-named  orders  have  been  complied  with. 

III.  In  case  such  persons  so  notified  make  further  attempt  to  practice  their  profes- 
sions or  callings  without  the  required  license,  the  alcalde  will  immediately  file  infor- 
mation with  the  fiscal  of  the  district  court  within  whose  jurisdiction  the  offense  was 
committed,  who  will  cause  the  offenders  to  be  arrested,  and  take  the  necessary  steps 
to  bring  them  to  trial. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  66.  /  San  Juan,  March  29,  1900. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  the  following  order  is 
published  for  the  information  of  all  concerned: 

I.  A  board  of  health  shall  be  established  in  each  municipality,  to  be  constituted  as 
follows:  The  alcalde,  a  municipal  physician,  the  president  of  the  school  board,  and 
the  president  of  the  board  of  charities,  all  of  whom  must  be  residents  of  the  munici- 
pality in  which  they  are  to  serve.  Where  there  are  more  than  one  municipal  physi- 
cian the  other  members  shall  elect  one  of  these  to  be  a  member  of  the  board. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        65 

II.  The  alcalde  shall  be  president,  the  municipal  physician  shall  be  health  officer 
of  the  board,  and  the  board  shall  elect  a  secretary  from  its  other  members. 

III.  The  board  shall  hold  one  regular  meeting  each  month,  and  special  meetings 
shall  be  held  at  any  time  upon  the  call  of  the  president  or  by  request  of  any  two 
members.     At  special  meetings  only  the  business  designated  in  the  call  shall  be  trans- 
acted.    Three  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

IV.  An  estimate  shall  be  placed  in  the  municipal  budget  each  year  sufficient  to 
cover  the  expenses  of  the  board  of  health. 

V.  The  municipal  judge  shall  on  or  before  the  5th  day  of  each  month  furnish  the 
board  of  health  with  a  report  of  the  vital  statistics  of  the  municipality  for  the  month 
immediately  preceding. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  67.  /  San  Juan,  March  29,  1900. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  judicial  board  and  the  superior  board  of  health, 
the  following  is  published  for  the  information  of  all  concerned: 

I.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  municipality  in  Porto  Rico  to  provide  in  its  annual 
budget  for  the  payment  of  municipal  physicians  and  practicantes  for  medical  attend- 
ance upon  the  poor,  and  for  medicines  for  the  same  class.     Money  appropriated  for 
medical  attendance  and  for  medicines  shall  be  used  for  no  other  purpose. 

II.  Each  municipality  shall  have  at  least  one  municipal  physician.     If  the  popu- 
lation exceeds  10,000  there  shall  be  not  less  than  two  municipal  physicians,  and  for 
every  6,000  or  major  fraction  thereof  above  this  number  there  shall  be  an  additional 
municipal  physician. 

III.  When  there  are  more  than  one  municipal  physician  the  territory  shall  be 
divided  between  them  as  equally  as  possible,  taking  into  consideration  both  popula- 
tion and  accessibility  of  territory.     Each  municipal  physician  must  reside  in  that 
part  of  the  municipality  which  he  serves. 

IV.  Kemote  and  inaccessible  barrios  must  be  provided  with  resident  physicians  or 
practicantes.     Whenever  a  barrio  is  not  so  provided  it  shall  petition  the  municipal 
council,  and  if  without  result,  then  the  superior  board  of  health,  stating  in  the  peti- 
tion the  population  of  the  barrio,  the  time  required  for  the  nearest  physician  to  reach 
the  central  and  remote  portions  of  the  barrio,  and  the  number  of  poor  who  can  not 
pay  for  medical  aid.     The  board  will,  if  it  deems  necessary,  appoint  a  physician  or 
practicante,  who  wTill  be  paid  from  the  municipal  treasury. 

V.  Municipal  physicians  and  practicantes  will  serve  under  the  direction  of  the 
alcaldes  or  comisarios,  and  must  attend  all  calls  made  by  the  sick  poor  in  their 
respective  districts. 

VI.  Hereafter  it  shall  not  be  lawful  for  any  municipality,  hospital,  asylum,  school, 
or  other  institution  in  Porto  Rico  to  employ  any  physician,  practicante,  dentist,  phar- 
macist, or  professional  nurse  unless  said  persons  are  licentiates  of  the  superior  board 
of  health  of  Porto  Rico. 

VII.  Hereafter  physicians,  practicantes,  dentists,  pharmacists,  and  professional 
nurses  shall  be  appointed  to  all  institutions  supported  in  whole  or  in  part  by  insular 
or  municipal  funds  only  after  competitive  examinations.     These  examinations  will 
be  open  only  to  persons  who  are  licentiates  of  the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto 
Rico. 

VIII.  Hereafter  any  physician,  practicante,  dentist,  pharmacist,  or  professional 
nurse  employed  in  the  public  service,  who  has  served  for  a  period  of  five  years  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  the  municipality  or  the  authorities  of  a  hospital,  asylum,  school, 
or  other  institution  employing  such  persons,  shall  not  be  removed  from  his  office 
except  for  immorality  or  inefficiency. 

IX.  In  cases  of  immorality  or  inefficiency  charges  and  specifications  will  be  pre- 
pared and  the  case  investigated  before  a  committee  of  the  council,  in  case  he  is  a 
municipal  employee;  or,  if  he  is  an  employee  of  the  insular  government,  he  will  be 
tried  before  a  committee  of  the  board  governing  the  institution  in  which  he  is  serving. 
Appeal  in  eith ejjcase  may  be  made  to  the  superior  board  of  health,  wrhose  decision 
will  be  final. 

X.  The  persons  charged  with  the  fulfillment  of  this  order  who  should  fail  to  com- 
ply with  the  same  after  having  been  reminded  by  the  proper  authority  of  said  com- 
pliance shall  be  considered  guilty  of  the  offense  of  disobedience  and  shall  be  punished 
in  conformity  writh  article  261  of  the  penal  code. 

19709—01 5 


66       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

XI.  The  district  courts  created  by  General  Orders,  No.  140,  series  of  1899,  these 
headquarters,  shall  be  competent  to  try  the  offenses  which  may  be  committed  in  this 
reepect,  with  the  exceptions  to  be  made  in  accordance  with  General  Orders,  No.  88, 
series  of  1899,  these  headquarters. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Eico, 

No.  69.  J  San  Juan,  April  2,  1900. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  judicial  board  and  the  superior  board  of  health, 
the  following  is  published  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  all  concerned: 

I.  All  cemeteries  and  all  extensions  of  existing  cemeteries  hereafter  constructed 
from  public  funds  shall  be  civil  in  character. 

II.  On  or  before  June  30,  1900,  each  municipality  will  provide  within  its  limits  at 
least  one  civil  cemetery,  which  shall  be  available  for  the  burial  of  all  who  die  in  the 
municipality.     Graves  or  lots  in  such  cemeteries  may  be  sold  for  the  interment  of  the 
remains  of  individuals  or  families,  but  a  sufficient  area  must  be  set  apart  for  the  free 
and  proper  burial  of  the  remains  of  the  poor  and  friendless.     All  interments  in,  or 
disturbance  of  the  soil  of,  any  cemetery  now  in  use,  after  the  above-mentioned  date, 
are  hereby  prohibited. 

Provided,  however,  That  the  alcalde  of  any  municipality  may  submit  evidence  to 
show,  as  respects  any  cemetery  in  his  municipal  district,  that  there  is  a  space  in  a 
designated  cemetery  available  for  burials,  and  that  interments  may  be  made  in  such 
space  without  disturbing  the  remains  of  human  beings  previously  buried  therein. 
This  proof  will  be  forwarded  to  the  military  governor,  and  if,  after  investigation  by 
the  superior  board  of  health,  the  facts  as  claimed  shall  be  established,  then  a  special 
exception  will  be  made  by  the  military  governor  in  the  case  of  the  cemetery  in 
question.  Applications  for  special  exceptions  must  be  made  without  delay. 

III.  It  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  every  alcalde  to  see  that  the  cemeteries  within 
his  jurisdiction  are  maintained  in  a  decent  condition;  that  human  bodies  are  promptly 
entombed,   as  required  by  law  and  regulations,   and  that  human  remains,  when 
exhumed  or  removed  from  vaults,  are  not  left  exposed  to  view  but  are  buried  or  other- 
wise promptly  disposed  of,  as  directed  by  the  superior  board  of  health,  which  board 
is  authorized  to  prohibit  further  interments  in  any  cemetery,  if  in  its  judgment  the 
healthfulness  of  the  municipality  would  thereby  be  threatened. 

IV.  Nothing  in  this  order  is  intended  to  prevent  use  for  the  entombment  of  the 
remains  of  a  member  of  a  family  in  a  family  vault  now  existing,  or  the  use  of  properly 
constructed  and  sealed  masonry  niches,  providing  that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  superior 
board  of  health,  such  use  is  not  detrimental  to  the  public  health. 

V.  Any  municipality  "may  lay  out,  purchase,  hold,  and  own  graveyards  or  ceme- 
teries within  the  municipal  limits,  and  will  have  and  exercise  police  jurisdiction  over 
the  same.     It  may  survey,  plat,  map,  fence,  ornament,  and  otherwise  improve  all 
public  burial  and  cemetery  grounds,  and  may  sell  or  convey  cemetery  lots  and  enact 
and  enforce  rules  and  ordinances  for  the  use,  protection,  and  control  of  said  grounds. 

VI.  Any  church,  religious  or  fraternal  organization,  or  any  five  or  more  persons, 
may  associate  themselves  together  to  form  a  cemetery  corporation  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  and  owning  a  cemetery,  and  the  burial  or  cremation  of  dead  bodies. 
Such  organization  shall  have  such  powers  and  privileges,  and  shall  be  subject  to  such 
duties,  liabilities,  and  restrictions,  as  the  laws  of  Porto  Rico  may  provide  respecting 
such  corporate  bodies. 

VII.  Before  any  new  cemetery  is  located,  or  an  old  one  enlarged,  a  map  of  the 
same  shall  be  filed  with  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  no  such  location  or  enlarge- 
ment shall  be  entered  upon  until  approval  is  given  by  the  board. 

VIII.  No  private  cemetery  shall  be  established  in  any  municipality  except  with 
the  approval  of  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  the  municipal  council,  as  respects 
the  location  of  said  cemeteries. 

IX.  No  cemeteries  shall  be  established  within  the  built-up  portions  of  any  city, 
town,  or  village,  or  where  any  stream  of  water  or  spring  may  thereby  be  contaminated. 

X.  For  each  cemetery  a  book  shall  be  kept,  in  which  shall  be  Centered  the  name, 
sex,  color,  late  residence^  occupation,  cause  of  death,  and  (if  a  minor  jfcame  of  parents, 
of  all  persons  whose  remains  are  buried  in  the  cemetery.     On  the  first  day  of  each 
month  an  exact  copy  of  the  last  monthly  additions  to  this  record  shall  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  municipal  judge  of  the  district  in  which  the  cemetery  is  located. 

XI.  Whenever  a  cemetery  is  an  obstruction  to  the  development  of  any  city  or 
town,  it  may  be  declared  a  nuisance  by  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  must  then 
be  closed  and  discontinued  as  a  burial  place. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        67 

XII.  It  shall  not  be  lawful  to  open  any  street,  lane,  alley,  railroad,  tramway,  trail, 
or  public  road  through  any  burial  ground  or  cemetery  in  Porto  Rico. 

XIII.  All  organized  cemetery  companies  may  appoint  watchmen  who,  together 
with  superintendents,  gardeners,  and  agents,  employed  within  the  cemetery  grounds, 
upon  taking  an  oath  of  office  similar  to  that  required  of  policemen,  shall  exercise  all 
the  powers  of  police  officers  within  the  cemetery  and  within  100  meters  space  outside 
the  boundary  of  said  grounds,  in  the  arrest  of  persons  who  are  known  to  have  violated 
the  laws  for  the  protection  of  cemeteries. 

XIV.  Lots  may  be  sold  in  any  cemetery  for  burial  purposes,  or  for  construction  of 
vaults  or  tombs,  which  shall  be  at  the  full  disposal  of  the  owners,  for  burial  purposes, 
according  to  the  regulations  of  each  cemetery,  so  long  as  the  cemetery  exists  as  such. 
Such  lots  can  be  disposed  of  as  other  property,  but  may  not  be  seized  for  debt;  and 
the  cemetery  company  shall,  at  all  times,  grant  to  the  rightful  owner  free  admission 
to  any  burial  lots,  and  free  privilege  to  ornament  and  improve  the  same  in  accordance 
with  the  by-laws  of  the  cemetery  company  or  the  municipality. 

XV.  In  every  cemetery  there  must  be  provided  a  suitable  building  where  bodies 
can  be  deposited  during  inclement  weather,  awaiting  burial. 

XVI.  It  is  forbidden  to  mutilate,  disinter,  or  remove  from  the  place  of  sepulture 
the  remains  of  any  human  being  without  authority  of  law,  or  to  willfully  and  mali- 
ciously destroy,  mutilate,  deface,  injure,  or  remove  any  tomb,  monument,  gravestone, 
or  other  edifice  placed  in  any  cemetery  or  graveyard  appropriated  to  and  used  for  the 
interment  of  human  bodies  in  Porto  Eico,  or  to  willfully  and  maliciously  injure, 
destroy,  or  remove  any  fence,  wall,  or  other  work  of  protection  or  ornament,  plant, 
tree,  or  shrub  growing  in  such  cemetery  or  graveyard. 

Any  person  guilty  of  the  violation  of  this  paragraph  shall,  upon  conviction  thereof, 
be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $50  nor  more  than  $500  United  States  currency, 
or  imprisonment  for  not  less  than  sixty  days  nor  more  than  two  years,  or  by  both 
such  fine  and  imprisonment,  as  the  court  may  direct. 

XVII.  The  district  courts,  instituted  by  General  Orders,  No.  114,  current  series, 
from  these  headquarters,  shall  have  jurisdiction  in  cases  arising  under  this  order, 
subject  to  the  provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  88,  current  series,  these  headquarters. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  1  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  78.  j  San  Juan,  April  10,  1900. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  the  following  is  pub- 
lished for  the  information  of  all  concerned: 

I.  Each  municipality  shall  have  at  least  one  competent  inspector  of  cattle  and 
meat,  \vho  shall  be  appointed  by  the  municipal  council,  after  competitive  examina- 
tion, and  paid  from  municipal  funds. 

II.  The  municipal  inspector  of  cattle  and  meat  shall  inspect  every  animal  offered 
for  human  food  in  the  district  he  serves,  and  after  the  animal  is  accepted  and  slaugh- 
tered he  will  inspect  its  flesh  and  viscera. 

III.  When  sick  animals  or  those  suffering  from  sores  or  wounds  are  offered  for 
slaughter  for  human  consumption,  the  inspector  will  forbid  the  slaughter. 

IV.  Meat  which  has  not  been  inspected,  approved,  and  duly  tagged  by  the  author- 
ized inspector,  will  not  be  sold  for  human  food. 

V.  The  flesh  of  animals  suffering  from  tuberculosis,  fever,  actinomycosis,  glanders, 
cancer,  hydrophobia,  eruptive  skin  diseases,  measles  and  cholera  (in  hogs),  and  of 
those  which  have  died  natural  deaths,  is  especially  unfit  for  human  food  and  must 
be  condemned. 

VI.  No  animal  over  six  months  pregnant  shall  be  slaughtered  for  food,  and  the 
number  of  cows  shall  not  exceed  one-fourth  of  the  total  number  of  cattle  butchered. 

VII.  Meat  will  not  be  condemned  unless  it  is  evidently  unfit -for  human  food,  or 
is  known  to  be  from  an  animal  which  was  sick  at  the  time  of  butchering.     Con- 
demned meat  must  be  at  once  destroyed. 

VIII.  Penalty:  Any  person  guilty  of  the  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this 
order  shall,  upon  conviction  thereof,  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $10  nor 
more  than  $200  United  States  currency,  or  imprisonment  for  not  less  than  ten  nor 
more  than  ninety  days,  or  by  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment,  at  the  discretion  of 
the  court. 

IX.  The  district  courts  instituted  by  General  Orders,  No.  114,  current  series,  from 
these  headquarters,  shall  have  jurisdiction  in  cases  arising  under  this  order,  subject 
to  the  provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  88,  series  of  1899,  from  these  headquarters. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

WM.  E.  ALMY, 
Acting  Adjutant-General.^ 


68   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  80.  /  San  Juan,  April  12,  1900. 

On  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  the  following  is  pub- 
lished for  the  information  of  all  concerned: 

NUISANCES. 

I.  Any  object  or  condition  which  is  prejudicial  to  public  health  is  designated 
as  .a  "nuisance."     Dead  animals  in  streets  or  yards,  slaughterhouse  offal  or  other 
decomposing  matter,  an  infected  house,  overflowing  and  leaky  privies  and  water- 
closets,  manure-pits,  filthy  or  insecure  tenement  houses;  filthy  markets,  groceries, 
dairies,  cellars,  yards,  alleys,  or  streets;  defective  drains,  filthy  stables,  foul  wells 
used  by  the  public,  open  sewers  in  which  the  water  stands,  ponds  or  pools  of  stag- 
nant water,  are  illustrations  of  nuisances.     Soap    making,  bone  boiling,  and  some 
other  industries  may  be  designated  offensive  and  subject  to  police  control,  but  they 
are  not  necessarily  prejudicial  to  public  health. 

II.  The  emptying  of  material  removed  from  privy  vaults  and  cesspools  into,  or 
their  connection  with,  the  common    sewer  is  a  nuisance,  is  prejudicial  to  public 
health,  and  is  prohibited. 

III.  The  dumping  of  night  soil  into  any  river,  stream,  lake,  or  pond  in  Porto 
Rico  is  a  nuisance,  and  is  hereby  prohibited. 

IV.  Any  person  maintaining  upon  his  property  a  nuisance,  must  promptly  remove 
or  abate  the  same  when  notified  to  do  so  by  the  health  officer,  alcalde,  or  other 
proper  official. 

V.  Reports  of  nuisances  should  be  made  in  writing,  signed  by  at  least  three  per- 
sons, to  the  alcalde,  health  officer,  or  other  member  of  the  local  or  superior  board  of 
health.     The  names  of  the  signers  of  said  report  must  not  be  given  to  the  public, 
except  it  be  so  required  by  a  court  of  justice  in  due  process  of  law. 

VI.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  health  officer,  or  in  case  this  officer  does  not  exist,  then 
it  is  the   duty  of  the  alcalde  or  other  proper  authority,  to  receive  the  reports  of 
nuisances  and*  make  efforts  to  abate  them,  as  the  law  or  the  rules  and  regulations  of 
the  local  or  superior  board  of  health  may  direct. 

VII.  Whenever  a  complaint  is  made  in  writing  to  a  board  of   health,  a  health 
officer,  or  alcalde,  of  the  existence  of  a  nuisance,  the  matter  shall  forthwith  be  inves- 
tigated by  the  health  officer,  alcalde,  or  other  proper  authority,  and  in  case  he  finds 
that  the  alleged  nuisance  is  detrimental  to  the  public  health,  or  the  cause  of  any 
special  disease  or  mortality,  he   shall   notify  the   owner,   agent,  or .  lessee  of  said 
premises,  or  party  presumably  responsible  for  said  nuisance,  in  writing,  of  such  find- 
ing, and  the  board,  or  the  alcalde  in  case  no  board  exists,  shall  thereupon  order  and 
direct  the  abatement  of  the  same  forthwith.     In  the  event  of  the  failure  of  said 
owner,  agent,   or  lessee  of   said  property,  or  said  responsible  party,  to  abate  the 
nuisance,  then  the  said  officer  or  board  may  proceed  to  abate  the  same,  and  may 
employ  all  the  force  necessary  to  do  so,  and  shall  proceed  by  warrant  to  arrest  and 
prosecute  the  party  failing  to  obey  said  order   of  abatement.     All  the  expenses 
attending  the  abatement  of  a  nuisance  shall  be  charged  and  shall  be  a  first  lien  against 
the  property  wThere  the  nuisance  exists. 

WATER-CLOSETS,   PRIVIES,  SINKS,  AND   CESSPOOLS. 

VIII.  All  privy  vaults  or  cesspools  that  are  full,  or  when  the  contents  thereof 
shall  be  within  2  feet  of  the  surface  of  the  ground,  or  shall  leak  into  the  cisterns, 
wells,  cellars,  or  basements  adjacent  thereto,  are  hereby  declared  nuisances,  preju- 
dicial to  health,  and  the  owners,  agents,  or  lessees  of  the  premises  to  wrhich  said 
privies  are  appurtenant  shall,  upon  notice,  have  the  contents  of  said  well  entirely 
removed  by  a  licensed  cleaner  of  privies,  who  shall  use  such  apparatus  as  is  adopted 
by  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  under  rules  and  regulations  established  by  sai in- 
board. 

IX.  Hereafter  privy  vaults  must  be  constructed  as  follows:  Each  building  situated 
on  an  unsewered  street  must  have  a  vault  not  less  than  4  feet  in  diameter  and  10  feet 
deep  in  the  clear,  lined  and  floored  with  a  wall  of  hard  brick  9  inches  in  thickness, 
laid  in  cement  mortar,  and  proved  to  be  water-tight. 

X.  Hereafter  privy  vaults  shall  not  be  situated  within  2  feet  of  the  party  lines  or 
within  20  feet  of  a  building,  when  practicable,  and  before  any  privy  vault  shall  be 
constructed  application  shall  be  made  and  a  permit  issued  by  the  local  board  of 
health,  or  when  there  is  no  such  board  operative,  then  by  the  alcalde.     The  owner 
of   houses   must  furnish    each    one  with  a  privy,   when  water-closets  can  not  be 
installed. 


REPORT  OF    SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        69 

XI.  Hereafter  privies  must  at  all  times  be  kept  clean  and  free  from  bad  odors, 
and  the  contents  protected  from  flies. 

XII.  No  privies  shall  exist  in  any  room  used  as  a  bakery,  public  kitchen,  milk 
depot,  grocery,  market  house,  or  other  public  place  or  public  room  where  food  is  pre- 
pared or  sold,  neither  shall  any  privy  open  into  nor  be  ventilated  into  such  rooms. 

SEWERING. 

XIII.  Before  a  new  system  of  sewerage  is  introduced  into  any  city  or  town  in  Porto 
Rico,  a  plan  of  this  system,  with  drawings  and  specifications,  must  be  submitted  to  the 
superior  board  of  health  at  San  Juan.     After  an  examination  of  the  plan,  if  the  board 
approves,  it  will  so  report  to  the  governor,  with  a  recommendation  that  a  permit 
to  construct  same  be  issued.     Any  change  to  a  new  system  of  sewering,  by  which 
the  effluent  is  discharged  into  a  new  stream  or  other  body  of  water,  can  only  be  under- 
taken after  the  plan  has  been  approved  by  the  superior  board  of  health  at  San  Juan, 
as  above. 

XIV.  No  excavations  or  digging  of  soil,  drainage  of  lowlands,  grading  of  streets, 
opening  of  public  sewers  or  drains  in  seacoast  cities  or  towns  shall   be  permitted 
between  the  1st  of  April  and  the  15th  of  November  without  the  approval  of  the 
superior  board  of  health;  provided,  that  this  is  not  intended  to  interfere  with  the 
ordinary  cultivation  of  land  in  farming,  the  burial  of  the  dead,  the  digging  of  wells, 
when  necessary  (and  there  is  no  water  system),  the  digging  of  post  holes,  or  the 
ordinary  excavations  necessary  for  building  purposes,  or  necessary  repairs  to  existing 
systems. 

FILLING   GROUND    WITH    OR   REMOVAL   OF   FILTH. 

XV.  Filling,  leveling,  or  raising  the  surface  of  any  ground  or  a  lot  within  any  incor- 
porated city  or  incorporated  town  or  village  in  Porto  Rico  with  animal  or  vegetable 
substances  filth  gathered  in  cleaning  yards  or  streets,  waste  material  from  mills  or 
factories,  or  the  removal  of  the  surface  of  any  ground  or  lot  within  the  said  cities, 
towns,  or  villages  filled  with  such  offensive  matter  or  substance,  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  cause  noisome  or  noxious  gases  to  arise,  are  hereby  declared  nuisances,  injurious 
to  health. 

STREET   CLEANING. 

XVI.  The  streets  in  the  cities  or  towns  of  Porto  Rico  must  be  kept  clean.     Dirty 
streets  are  not  only  unhealthful,  but  are  very  unsightly,  and  give  any  city  a  bad  repu- 
tation in  the  eyes  of  strangers.     It  is  forbidden  to  throw  filth,  garbage,  dead  animals, 
or  solid  or  liquid  waste  of  any  kind  into  the  streets.     These  must  be  placed  in  boxes 
or  other  receptacles,  which  will  be  emptied  by  the  public  scavengers.     These  recepta- 
cles must  be  kept  clean  by  those  who  use  them.     Each  owner  "or  agent  of  property 
will  be  held  responsible  for  any  violation  of  these  requirements  in  front  of  his  prop- 
erty, extending  so  far  as  the  middle  of  the  street. 

XVII.  Each  city  council  or,  under  their  direction,  the  local  board  of  health,  will 
make  proper  regulations  for  sweeping  and  cleaning  the  streets  at  least  three  times  a 
week  and  for  the  removal  of  all  such  sweepings.     Sweepings  and  garbage  shall  not 
be  deposited  in  vacant  lots  or  along  streams,  but  at  such  points  as  the  health  officer 
or  local  health  board  shall  direct. 

XVIII.  No  dumping  ground  or  refuse  of  any  description  shall  be  maintained  in  or 
close  to  any  city,  town,  or  settlement  in  this  island;  and  it  is  hereby  made  the  duty 
of  every  alcalde  to  promptly  abate  such  a  nuisance,  and  to  prevent  the  accumulation 
of  refuse  and  garbage  in  such  quantities  as  will  threaten  the  health  and  lives  of  the 
people.     The  garbage  should  be  burned,  as  far  as  possible,  and  this  can  be  done  if  it 
is  spread  out  to  dry  on  days  when  the  sun  shines. 

XIX.  Any  person  guilty  of  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  order  shall, 
upon  conviction  thereof,  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $5  nor  more  than  $200, 
United  States  currency,  or  imprisonment  for  not  less  than  five  nor  more  than  ninety 
days,  or  by  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

XX.  The  district  courts  instituted  by  General  Orders,  No.  114,  series  of  1899,  from 
these  headquarters,  shall  have  jurisdiction  in  cases  arising  under  this  order,  subject 
to  the  provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  88,  series  of  1899,  from  these  headquarters. 

.     By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

WM.  E.  ALMY, 
Acting  Adjutant- General. 


70   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

CIRCULAR,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  16.     }  San  Juan,  April  9,  1900. 

Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of  health  the  following  rules  and 
regulations  are  published  for  the  information  of  all  concerned : 

RULES   AND   REGULATIONS   RESPECTING  BURIALS,  DISINTERMENTS,  AND  TRANSPORTATION  OP 

HUMAN   BODIES. 

I.  A  human  body  shall  not  be  buried  in  any  cemetery  until  the  properly  signed 
death  certificate,  written  or  printed  in  ink,  is  received  by  the  sexton  or  custodian  of 
the  cemetery.     Such  certificates  will  be  signed  and  given  by  the  municipal  judge  or 
his  representative,  in  conformity  with  the  law  of  civil  registry  now  in  force. 

II.  The  body  of  every  adult  must  be  buried  at  least  4  feet  below  the  surface  of  the 
earth,  and  bodies  of  children  under  7  years  of  age  must  be  buried  at  least  3  feet 
below  the  surface. 

III.  Where  vaults  or  crypts  are  used,  the  masonry  must  be  at  least  1  foot  thick,  and 
the  door  must  be  securely  sealed  after  each  interment. 

IV.  In  cases  of  quarantinable  diseases,  viz,  cholera,  smallpox,  diphtheria,  scarlet 
fever,  typhus  fever,  yellow   fever,  epidemic  cerebro-spinal  fever,  leprosy,  glanders, 
and  oriental  or  bubonic  plague,  the  coffin  must  be  buried  writh  the  body.     Those 
dead  of  these  diseases  must  be  buried  in  a  separate  portion  of  the  cemetery,  or  in 
vaults  or  lots  owned  by  the  deceased,  his  family,  or  friends. 

V.  Bodies  buried  in  graves  shall  not  be  disinterred  until  five  years  have  elapsed 
since  death. 

VI.  Human  remains  shall  not  be  removed  from  the  original  place  of  interment 
except  between  January  1  and  April  1  of  each  year.     If  the  removal  is  to  another 
cemetery,  a  permit  must  be  obtained  from  the  superior  board  of  health. 

VII.  All  disinterments  or  transfers  must  be  made  during  daylight,  and  superin- 
tendents  of  burial  grounds  are  prohibited  from   allowing  any  dead  body  to  be 
removed  from  or  interred  in  their  grounds  between  sunset  and  sunrise.     All  disin- 
terred remains  must  be  carefully  boxed  before  they  are  taken  from  any  cemetery ; 
provided,  that  nothing  in  this  order  will  be  permitted  to  interfere  with  the  mandate 
of  a  court  in  furtherance  of  the  administration  of  justice. 

VIII.  The  remains  of  deceased  persons  shall  not  be  transferred  from  or  landed  at 
ports  of  the  island  without  permission  from  the  superior  board  of  health  and  a  cer- 
tificate from  the  port  sanitary  inspector,  after  an  inspection  of  the  casket  by  the  offi- 
cer named. 

IX.  Human  remains  will  not  be  entombed  in  any  church  or  other  building  within 
the  walls  of  San  Juan  or  other  city  in  Porto  Rico  without  the  consent  of  the  superior 
board  of  health;  nor  will  such  remains  be  transferred  from  one  municipality  to 
another  for  burial  without  consent  of  both  alcaldes. 

X.  It  is  strictly  forbidden  to  transport  outside  of  any  municipality  the  bodies  of 
persons  who  shall  have  died  from  smallpox,  Asiatic  cholera,  typhus  fever,  diphtheria, 
yellow  fever,  or  other  quarantinable  disease,  except  by  special  permission  from  the 
superior  board  of  health. 

XI.  The  body  of  any  person  who  has  died  of  a  quarantinable  disease  shall  not  be 
transported,  save  in  a  hermetically  sealed,  metal-lined  coffin,  after  inspection  by  an 
agent  of  or  under  authority  of  the  superior  board  of  health. 

XII.  Every  dead  body  in  transit  must  be  accompanied  by  the  physician's  certifi- 
cate of  death,  and  a  certificate  from  the  shipping  undertaker  that  the  body  has  been 
properly  prepared  for  transportation  according  to  the  foregoing  rules. 

XIII.  Hearses  and  other  conveyances,  after  use  for  those  dying  of  contagious 
diseases,  must  be  thoroughly  disinfected,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  representative  of 
the  board  of  health. 

XIV.  Any  person  guilty  of  the  violation  of  any  of  the  foregoing  regulations  shall, 
upon  conviction  thereof,  Toe  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $10  nor  more  than 
$500,  United  States  currency,  or  imprisonment  for  not  less  than  ten  days  nor  more 
than  two  years,  or  by  both  such  fine  and  imprisonment,  as  the  court  may  direct. 

XV.  The  district  courts  instituted   by  General  Orders,   No.  114,  series  of  1899, 
these  headquarters,  shall  have  jurisdiction  in  cages  arising  under  these  regulations, 
subject  to  the  provisions  of  General  Orders,  No.  88,  series  of  1899,  these  headquarters. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

WM.  E.   AI.MV. 

Acthirj  Adjtittint-f'an  r>i/. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        71 
REGULATIONS  PROPOSED  BUT  NOT  PROMULGATED. 

The  following  regulations  also  adopted  by  the  board  were  submitted 
to  the  military  governor  with  the  recommendation  that  they  be  pro- 
mulgated in  general  orders.  They  were  not  so  published: 

LICENSES   AND   PERMITS. 

Certain  dangerous  and  offensive  operations,  and  some  others  involv- 
ing the  public  health,  are  commonly  regulated  by  " licenses"  and 
''permits."  The  former  are  for  a  definite  period  of  time,  commonly 
one  year,  while  the  latter  are  for  a  single  operation. 

The  persons  who  clean  privies  in  all  cities  over  10,000  population 
shall  annually  receive  licenses  from  the  superior  board  of  health  at 
San  Juan.  They  must  be  provided  with  modern  apparatus  and  con- 
form to  all  rules  and  regulations  of  the  superior  board  upon  pain  of 
fine  and  revocation  of  licenses.  In  towns  containing  a  population  of 
less  than  10,000  persons,  privy  cleaners  should  be  licensed  by  the 
local  board  of  health.  In  cities  of  first  class  the  cost  of  the  license 
shall  be  $25,  and  in  those  of  second  class  $10. 

The  superior  board  of  health  of  San  Juan  shall  have  power  to 
require  licenses  to  be  taken  out  annually  by  all  persons  who  may 
engage  in  occupations  which  are  especially  dangerous  to  human  life 
or  are  very  offensive,  as  the  manufacture  of  gunpowder,  or  of  nitro- 
glycerin,  or  soap  making  and  bone  boiling.  The  said  board  may 
also  formulate  the  rules  and  regulations  under  which  dangerous  anci 
offensive  operations  must  be  carried  on. 

Permits  shall  be  issued  by  the  superior  board  of  health  for  the 
erection  or  alteration  of  waterworks,  sewerage  plants,  school  build- 
ings, hospitals,  dispensaries,  asylums,  theaters,  and  all  other  public 
buildings. 

Local  boards  of  health  shall  issue  permits  for  building,  altering,  or 
cleaning  of  privies  and  cesspools,  for  the  burial  and  removal  of  dead 
bodies,  for  the  establishment  of  milk  depots,  bakeries,  stables,  tan- 
neries, soap  factories,  bone-boiling  establishments,  and  such  other 
institutions  as  said  local  boards  of  health  may  deem  necessary  to  keep 
under  observation  and  control. 

PUBLIC   WATER   SUPPLIES. 

Every  city  and  town  in  Porto  Rico  should  have  an  abundant  supply 
of  pure  and  wholesome  water.  It  has  been  well  said  that  "Pure 
water  is  the  first  sanitary  requisite." 

The  best  supplies  are  those  from  springs  and  running  streams  along 
which  but  few  people  live.  The  best  waters  have  no  odor,  no  taste, 
no  color,  and  are  soft.  Typhoid  fever,  cholera,  dysentery,  and  pos- 
sibly malaria,  are  very  often  propagated  by  drinking  water,  and 
whenever  these  diseases  exist  boards  of  health  should  carefully 
examine  the  condition  of  the  water  supply  for  possible  sources  of 
contamination. 

The  health  officer,  alcalde,  or  his  assistants,  should  make  monthly 
inspections  of  the  springs  or  streams,  which  are  sources  of  municipal 
water  supply,  and  warn  all  persons  who  are  defiling  the  water  to 
desist  from  same  under  penalty  of  the  law.  No  privies,  sewers, 
slaughterhouses,  tanneries,  mills,  factories,  stables,  or  other  like  foci 


72   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

of  contamination  should  be  permitted  to  discharge  their  contents  into 
any  stream  used  for  domestic  supplies,  and  if  any  such  contamination 
is  discovered  it  should  be  ordered  discontinued  at  once. 

The  selection  of  new  water  supply  or  the  enlargement  of  an  old 
plant  can  only  be  made  after  the  local  authorities  shall  have  obtained 
the  consent  of  the  superior  board  of  health  at  San  Juan.  Applica- 
tions for  such  authority  should  be  made  to  the  secretary  of  the 
superior  board  of  health  at  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

It  is  prohibited  to  throw  into  any  stream  in  Porto  Rico  any  waste 
from  tanneries  or  other  manufacturing  establishment,  whereby  the 
water  is  discolored,  made  offensive  or  poisonous  and  unfit  for  the  use 
of  men  and  domestic  animals.  The  throwing  of  all  acids  and  chemical 
salts  into  streams  is  prohibited. 

Municipalities  should  place  hydrants  on  the  streets,  where  they  will 
be  readily  accessible  to  the  poor,  as  an  abundance  of  good  water  is  con- 
ducive to  good  health.  Bathing  facilities  should  be  furnished  to  the 
poor  where  it  is  possible. 

PUBLIC   INSTITUTIONS. 

All  school  buildings,  both  public  and  private,  asylums,  hospitals, 
jails,  court  rooms,  barracks,  theaters,  and  other  public  buildings  in 
which  the  people  congregate,  are  subject  to  sanitary  rules  and  regula- 
tions, and  should  be  inspected  by  boards  of  health  at  frequent  intervals. 

All  plans  for  new  public  buildings  or  alterations  in  old  buildings 
must  be  submitted  to  the  superior  board  of  health  at  San  Juan. 

All  public  buildings  are  required  at  all  times  to  be  well  lighted,  well 
ventilated,  scrupulously  clean,  free  from  vermin,  and  with  floors  which 
can  be  readily  cleaned.  There  must  be  ready  means  of  escape  in  case 
of  fire. 

Privies  and  water-closets  must  be  kept  clean  and  free  from  bad 
odors.  All  the  drains  must  be  kept  free  and  in  good  order.  All 
sewer  and  waste  pipes  must  be  securely  trapped  and  properly  venti- 
lated. 

Baths  must  be  provided  for  asylums,  boarding  schools^  barracks, 
jails,  and  hospitals,  so  that  all  the  inmates  can  bathe  at  least  once  a 
week.  Their  underclothing  must  be  washed  at  least  once  a  week. 
Medical  officers  or  other  authorities  must  be  held  responsible  for  the 
sanitar}^  condition  of  inmates  in  public  institutions. 

The  food  must  be  good  and  wholesome  and  of  sufficient  quantity  and 
variety.  Frequent  inspections  must  be  made  of  the  food  and  of  the 
kitchen  where  it  is  prepared,  to  see  that  both  are  clean  and  wholesome. 
No  privy  can  be  permitted  in  any  kitchen  of  a  public  institution.  The 
gardens,  yards,  and  all  the  surroundings  must  be  kept  free  from  filth 
and  litter. 

SCHOOL   HYGIENE. 

Schoolhouses  should  be  located  where  there  is  a  free  circulation  of 
air  and  sufficient  light.  The  rooms  should  be  sufficiently  hirgo,  well 
lighted,  well  ventilated,  and  there  should  be  a  supply  of  good  drinking- 
water  convenient. 

Pupils  should  not  be  required  to  sit  facing  the  light,  and  blackboards 
should  not  be  placed  between  windows.  Windows  should  not  be 
obstructed  with  curtains,  flowers,  or  other  objects.  Desks  should  be 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        73 

adapted  to  size  of  children.     The  privy  should  be  kept  clean  and  in 
good  condition.     Drains  must  be  kept  open. 

Plans  for  new  schoolhouses  or  for  alterations  in  old  ones  must  be 
submitted  to  the  superior  board  of  health  at  San  Juan  and  a  permit 
obtained  before  the  work  is  begun. 

TENEMENT    HOUSES. 

Houses  which  are  occupied  in  common  by  three  or  more  families  are 
designated  by  this  term.  The  owner  is  held  responsible  for  their  good 
sanitary  condition. 

Privies  must  be  kept  free  from  bad  odors  and,  if  full,  must  be 
emptied  by  a  licensed  cleaner,  a  permit  having  been  first  obtained  from 
the  local  board  of  health  by  the  owner.  Drains  must  be  kept  clean 
and  in  good  order.  Plumbing  must  be  done  by  a  licensed  plumber  and 
under  the  regulations  of  the  superior  board  of  health.  There  should 
be  a  good  water  supply,  and  in  case  water  can  be  obtained  from  a 
public  service  connection  therewith  must  be  made  and  running  water 
furnished  each  floor.  Tenements  should  not  be  unduly  crowded.  No 
room  should  be  occupied  by  more  than  two  adults  and  one  child,  and 
each  occupant  should  have  not  less  than  35  square  feet  of  floor  space 
and  350  cubic  feet  of  air  space. 

A  license  must  be  obtained  from  the  superior  board  of  health  at  San 
Juan  for  the  erection  of  new  tenements  or  the  alteration  of  old  ones. 

Whenever  a  building  or  part  thereof  is  overcrowded,  or  is  not  pro- 
vided with  adequate  means  of  ingress  and  egress,  or  is  not  sufficiently 
supported,  ventilated,  sewered,  drained,  cleaned,  or  lighted,  it  is 
declared  to  be  a  nuisance,  prejudicial  to  the  public  health,  and  every 
person  having  aided  in  creating  or  contributing  to  the  same,  or  who 
may  support,  continue,  or  retain  any  of  them,  shall  be  deemed  guilty 
of  a  violation  of  this  regulation  and  shall  be  liable  to  a  penalty  of  not 
more  than  $100  or  imprisonment  for  sixty  days. 

All  apartments  in  tenement  houses  must  be  cleaned  and  disinfected 
before  any  new  tenant  is  admitted  to  an}T  apartment  or  apartments. 

BOARDING   AND   LODGING   HOUSES. 

HOTELS. 

The  means  of  light,  ventilation,  and  egress  must  be  satisfactory  to 
the  local  board  of  health. 

There  shall  be  allowed  no  less  than  350  cubic  feet  of  space  to  each 
lodger  in  sleeping  rooms. 

Water-closets  will  be  provided  on  each  floor,  at  least  1  to  eveiT  15 
lodgers. 

HOUSE   TO   HOUSE   INSPECTION. 

A  house  to  house  inspection  of  all  cities  and  towns  shall  be  made 
when  deemed  necessary  and  directed  by  the  superior  board  of  health. 
A  record  shall  be  made  on  suitable  blank  forms  provided  for  the  pur- 
pose, setting  forth  the  number  of  inmates  in  the  house,  of  each  sex 
and  color,  whether  any  sickness  exists  in  the  house  at  the  date  of 
inspection  or  has  existed  in  the  past  six  months,  nature  of  the  sick- 
ness, sanitary  condition  of  the  house,  water-closets,  cesspools,  sinks,  or 
privy  vaults. 


74       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

SLAUGHTERHOUSES. 

All  slaughterhouses  located  within  or  close  to  any  city  in  Porto 
Rico  shall  .have  the  floors  of  asphalt  or  some  other  impervious 
material,  properly  sloped  to  a  well-trapped  and  permanently  graded 
inlet  having  a  direct  communication  with  a  sewer  or  other  open  outlet. 

The  walls  shall  be  covered  to  the  height  of  7  feet  with  some  imper- 
vious material. 

The  yards  connected  with  the  slaughterhouse  should  be  graded, 
paved,  and  sloped,  so  that  they  may  be  flushed  with  water  and  kept 
perfectly  clean.  There  should  be  an  abundant  water  supply,  with  hose 
so  arranged  that  the  walls,  floors,  and  yards  may  be  effectively  washed. 

The  floors  of  the  apartments  in  which  the  animals  are  kept  previous 
to  slaughtering  should  likewise  be  paved  or  covered  with  asphalt  or 
cement, 

The  house  should  be  capable  of  complete  ventilation  by  openings  in 
the  roof  and  elsewhere,  No  blood  pit,  offal  pit,  or  privy  well  shall  be 
permitted  within  any  slaughterhouse. 

All  slaughterhouses  in  or  near  cities  not  provided  as  above  should  be 
considered  by  health  boards  as  nuisances. 

The  owners,  agents,  or  occupants  of  all  slaughterhouses  within  or 
near  the  cities  of  Porto  Rico  are  required  to  provide  movable  recepta- 
cles, with  tightly  fitting  covers,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  and  con- 
veying away  blood,  offal,  filth,  and  other  offensive  matter,  and  these 
matters  are  to  be  deposited  in  the  receptacles  immediately  after  the 
slaughtering  and  removed  with  all  the  fat,  hides,  tripe,  and  bones 
daily. 

No  blood  or  any  offal  shall  be  permitted  to  flow  into  any  sew^er. 
Anyone  violating  these  regulations  should  be  prosecuted  for  maintain- 
ing a  public  nuisance. 

It  is  recommended  that  the  dealers  in  meat  in  each  city  unite  in 
establishing  a  refrigerating  plant  where  their  products  may  remain 
indefinitely  without  loss  until  sold. 

Those  who  kill  animals  for  their  flesh  are  strictly  enjoined  not  to 
kill  for  human  food  any  animal  suffering  from  an}T  external  disease, 
as  cancer  or  abscesses,  nor  any  animal  sick  with  fever  from  disease  or 
wounds,  and  should  any  animal  be  killed  and  its  internal  organs  found 
to  be  diseased  the  meat  shall  not  be  offered  for  sale  unless  special  per- 
mit is  received  from  the  health  officer. 

The  flesh  of  animals  which  have  died  from  natural  cause*  shall  not 
be  prepared  for  human  consumption  or  offered  for  sale.  The  flesh 
of  pregnant  animals  not  suffering  from  any  disease  is  declared  to  be 
wholesome  for  human  beings. 

TRADES   AND    WORKSHOPS. 

Owners  of  slaughterhouses,  tanneries,  soap-making  and  bone-boiling 
establishments,  barbers,  cigarmakers,  and  all  others  who  from  the 
peculiar  nature  of  their  trade's  or  business  are  liable  to  spread  disease, 
should  be  very  careful  to  keep  their  places  of  business  clean,  whole- 
some, and  above  all  suspicion  as  disease  breeders.  Butchers,  barbers, 
cigarmakers,  bakers,  proprietors  of  laundries,  and  tailors  should  not 
employ  persons  suffering  from  contagious  diseases.  Clothing  should 
not  be  sent  to  houses  to  be  made  where  it  is  known  that  diphtheria 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        75 

scarlet  fever,  smallpox,  yellow  fever,  cholera,  leprosy,  or  any  other 
dangerous  contagious  or  infectious  disease  exists. 

Workshops  should  be  well  lighted,  well  ventilated,  dry,  and  each 
one  must  have  a  privy  accessible  and  in  good  condition,  but  this  should 
not  be  inside  the  shop. 

SEWERAGE. 

Upon  the  recommendations  of  the  superior  board  of  health  owners 
of  buildings  abutting  on  streets  provided  with  public  sewers  in  any 
city  in  Porto  Rico  having  waterworks  are  hereby  required  to  furnish 
their  buildings  with  water-closets  of  pattern  approved  by  the  superior 
board  of  health  and  to  connect  said  water-closets  and  also  all  kitchen 
sinks  with  said  sewers  on  or  before  December  31,  1900.  Said  con- 
nection to  be  made  in  accordance  with  regulations  prescribed  by  the 
superior  board  of  health.  . 

First.  On  and  after  the  31st  day  of  December  of  the  year  1900  no 
urinal  or  water-closet  or  sink  or  bathroom  in  any  building  situated 
as  aforesaid  shall  be  unconnected  with  such  sewer,  and  in  case  of  fail- 
ure to  comply  therewith  the  owner  of  such  building  or,  in  his  absence 
from  the  island,  the  agent  of  such  owner  having  control  of  such  build- 
ing shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor  and  shall,  by  order  of 
the  alcalde  of  the  city  wherein  the  building  is  located,  be  fined  not 
less  than  $75  and  not  more  than  $200,  and  in  case  such  fine  is  not  paid 
within  ten  days  from  the  date  on  which  the  order  is  issued  the  tenant 
shall  be  ordered  and  authorized  to  withhold  from  him  the  house  rent 
and  to  pay  said  rent  into  the  treasury  of  the  superior  board  of  health 
and  continue  to  do  so  until  the  amount  of  the  tine  has  been  fully  paid. 

Second.  In  case  any  building  situated  as  aforesaid  be  not  provided 
with  the  sewer  connection  and  with  the  water  closet  or  closets  required 
by  paragraphs  1  and  3  of  this  order  ten  days  after  the  full  payment 
of  the  fine  mentioned  in  the  above  paragraph,  the  board  of  health  is 
hereby  vested  with  the  right  to  enter  such  premises,  and  shall  proceed 
at  once  to  employ  competent  and  necessary  plumbers  and  other  work- 
men, and  shall  purchase  the  necessary  material,  and  shall  cause  such 
water  closet  or  closets  to  be  placed  in  such  building  in  such  localit}7  as 
the  board  of  health  shall  determine,  and  such  connections  to  be  made 
with  the  most  convenient  sewer,  at  the  owner's  expense.  The  secretary 
of  said  board  of  health  shall  keep  a  separate  account  of  the  cost  and 
expense  properly  chargeable  to  each  building.  Upon  the  completion 
of  such  work  said  account  shall  be  presented  to  the  owner  of  such 
building,  if  he  is  on  the  island,  and  if  absent  from  the  island,  then  to 
his  agent  having  control  of  the  building,  with  a  demand  for  payment 
within  three  days. 

Third.  In  case  the  account  referred  to  in  preceding  paragraph  shall 
remain  unpaid  at  the  expiration  of  such  period  of  three  days  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  health  to  at  once  transmit 
to  the  alcalde  of  the  city  a  certified  copy  of  such  account,  verified  by 
the  oath  of  the  engineers  of  said  board,  and  the  same  when  so  verified 
shall  be  taken  and  deemed  to  be  prima  facie  evidence  that  the  charges 
therein  are  reasonable  and  just  and  that  the  work  was  properly  per- 
formed and  the  material  duly  furnished.  A  surcharge  of  6  per  cent 
of  the  total  amount  shall  be  made  to  cover  incidental  expenses  in  each 
case.  The  alcalde  of  the  city  will  notify  the  interested  party  within 


76   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

twent3^-four  hours  of  the  receipt  of  said  account  and  shall  order  the 
payment  of  the  same  within  three  days,  the  necessary  orders  and 
instructions  having  been  given  by  him. 

Fourth.  Upon  the  expiration  of  the  period  of  three  days  mentioned 
in  paragraph  3  of  this  order,  the  board  of  health  shall  at  once  make 
out  a  list  of  those  owners  who  have  failed  to  pay  their  accounts,  and 
will  present  said  accounts  to  the  alcalde  of  the  city,  who  shall,  within 
the  specified  time  of  twenty-four  hours  following,  order  and  declare 
the  first  lien  on  the  furniture  and  other  movable  articles,  the  property 
of  the  house  owner,  authorizing  the  proper  and  competent  authority  to 
enter  the  dwellings  of  such  owners  for  its  execution. 

Fifth.  The  collector  of  the  board  of  health  shall  enter  the  premises 
accompanied  by  a  policeman  and  an  appraiser,  and  will  at  once  make 
an  inventory  of  the  articles  of  furniture  to  be  sold  at  public  auction. 

Sixth.  If  within  twenty-four  hours  after  the  lien  as  prescribed  by 
paragraph  4  of  this  order  shall  have  been  declared,  the  owner  or 
agent  of  such  building,  having  been  duly  notified  by  the  proper  author- 
ity, does  not  present  a  receipt  showing  that  the"  account  and  extra 
charge  for  incidental  expenses  have  been  fully  paid,  the  articles  of 
furniture  will  be  advertised  to  be  sold  at  public  auction  in  the  Official 
Gazette  for  five  consecutive  days.  The  date  and  place  where  the  arti- 
cles are  to  be  sold  at  auction  will  be  indicated  in  the  advertisement. 

Seventh.  If  tne  amount  of  the  articles  as  inventoried  does  not  cover 
the  total  amount  of  the  account,  said  account  and  inventory  will  be 
forwarded  to  the  alcalde  of  the  city,  with  a  request  that  a  first  lien  be 
granted  on  such  building  so  situated  as  aforesaid  wherein  such  work 
shall  have  been  done  by  said  board  of  health  for  the  use  of  the  depart- 
ment of  sewers,  which  lien  shall  be  superior  in  dignity  to  all  liens  of  a 
private  nature  of  every  kind  and  character  whatsoever,  and  such  liens 
shall  be  discharged  by  payment  only. 

Eighth.  The  alcalde  of  the  city  is  hereby  authorized  to  collect  and 
enforce,  as  herein  prescribed,  all  claims  presented  to  him  b}^  said  board 
of  health. 

Ninth.  On  and  after  March  31, 1900,  no  newly  built  dwelling  house, 
situated  as  described  in  the  opening  paragraph  of  this  order,  nor  any 
place  of  business  shall  be  rented  or  occupied  as  such,  unless  provided 
with  the  required  sanitary  conveniences  above  specified;  and  should 
the  house  owner  fail  to  comply  with  this  paragraph,  he  shall  be  fined 
not  less  than  $20  and  not  more  than  $50;  and  if  within  five  days  after 
the  date  on  which  the  fine  is  imposed  the  owner  shall  fail  to  comply 
with  this  paragraph,  he  shall  be  fined  $2  for  each  and  every  day  there- 
after that  the  dwelling  is  not  provided  as  above  specified. 

Tenth.  All  fines  paid  in  pursuance  of  this  order  shall  be  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  board  of  health  of  the  cit}r  where  paid,  and  shall  be  taken  up 
and  accounted  for  as  other  public  funds. 

PLUMBING. 

Every  person  engaged  in  the  plumbing  business  in  Porto  Rico  as  a 
master  plumber,  and  every  person  coming  from  other  places  for  the 
purpose  of  doing  plumbing  work  in  Porto  Rico  as  a  master  plumber, 
shall  appear  in  person  at  the  office  of  the  superior  board  of  health  and 
receive  a  certificate  of  registry  upon  presenting  satisfactory  proof  that 
he  is  a  bona  fide  master  plumber;  and  no  person  other  than  a  licensed 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        77 

and  registered  plumber  shall  be  allowed  to  carry  on  or  engage  in  the 
plumbing  business,  or  make  any  connection  with  any  water  pipe,  sewer, 
soil  or  waste  pipe,  or  any  pipe  connected  therewith. 

Every  registered  plumber  shall  give  immediate  notice  of  any  change 
in  his  place  of  business,  and  upon  his  retirement  from  business  shall 
surrender  his  certificate  of  registry  to  the  superior  board  of  health. 

The  plumbing  of  all  buildings,  public  or  private,  and  the  alterations 
of  the  same  shall  be  executed  in  accordance  with  the  plans  and  speci- 
fications previously  approved  in  writing  by  the  superior  board  of  health. 
There  shall  be  a  separate  plan  for  each  building,  public  or  private, 
accompanied  by  specifications  describing  the  drainage  of  said  buildings 
on  blanks  prescribed  and  furnished  for  this  purpose,  showing  the  size 
and  kind  of  pipes  and  traps,  closets  and  fixtures,  etc.,  to  be  used,  the 
same  to  be  placed  on  file  itfthe  office  of  the  superior  board  of  health. 
Said  drawings  and  descriptions  to  be  furnished  by  the  owner  or  his 
authorized  agent,  and  prepared  by  the  architect  or  builder,  where  one 
is  employed;  and  application  for  change  of  plan  must  be  made  in  writ- 
ing by  the  owner. 

Drawings  and  descriptions  of  the  plumbing  of  buildings  already 
erected  may  be  placed  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  superior  board  of 
health.  Blanks  for  drawings  and  specifications  for  plumbing  will  be 
furnished  on  application  at  the  office  of  the  superior  board  of  health. 
One  vertical  drawing  will  be  sufficient  for  a  building  where  it  can  be 
made  to  show  all  the  work;  if  the  work  is  intricate  and  can  not  be 
shown  by  one  drawing,  two  or  more  shall  be  made. 

When  the  drainage  of  buildings  has  been  inspected  and  condemned, 
plans  must  be  filed  with  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  the  new 
work  for  alterations  shall  be  executed  in  accordance  with  these  rules 
and  regulations. 

Plans  will  be  approved  or  rejected  speedily,  and  under  no  circum- 
stances will  a  delay  beyond  ten  days  be  permitted. 

All  material  shall  be  of  good  quality  and  free  from  defects,  and  the 
work  must  be  executed  in  a  thorough  and  workmanlike  manner. 

The  main  sewer  of  every  house  or  building  shall  be  separately  and 
independent!}'  connected  with  the  street  sewer,  where  one  is  provided; 
and  where  there  is  no  sewer  in  the  street,  and  it  is  necessary  to  con- 
struct a  private  sewer  to  connect  with  the  one  on  an  adjacent  street, 
such  plans  may  be  used  as  may  be  approved  by  the  superior  board  of 
health,  but  in  no  case  shall  a  joint  sewer  be  laid  in  cellars  parallel  with 
street  or  alley. 

All  house  sewers  laid  beneath  the  ground  inside  of  buildings  or 
beneath  the  cellar  floor  shall  be  of  plain  extra  heavy  cast-iron  pipe, 
with  well-leaded  and  calked  joints,  or  of  wrought  iron,  with  screw 
joints  made  with  a  paste  of  red  lead  and  treated  to  prevent  corrosion. 

Outside  of  buildings,  where  the  soil  is  of  sufficient  solidity  for  a 
proper  foundation,  cylindrical  terra-cotta  pipes  of  the  best  quality, 
free  from  flaws,  splits,  or  cracks,  perfectly  burned  and  well  glazed 
over  the  inner  and  outer  surfaces,  may  be  used,  laid  on  a  smooth 
bottom,  with  a  special  groove  cut  in  the  bottom  of  trench  for  each  hub 
(in  order  to  give  the  pipe  a  solid  bearing  on  its  entire  length),  and  the 
soil  well  rammed  on  each  side  of  the  pipe.  The  spigot  and  hub  ends 
shall  be  concentric. 

The  space  between  the  hub  and  pipe  shall  be  thoroughly  filled  with 
the  best  cement  mortar,  made  of  equal  parts  of  any  approved  cement 


78   EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

and  bar  sand,  thoroughly  mixed  dry,  and  water  enough  afterwards 
added  to  give  a  proper  consistence.  The  cement  must  be  mixed  in 
small  quantities  at  a  time  and  used  as  soon  as  made.  The  joints  must 
be  carefully  wiped  and  pointed,  and  all  mortar  that  may  be  left  inside 
thoroughly  cleaned  out  and  the  pipe  left  clean  and  smooth  throughout, 
for  which  purpose  a  swab  will  be  used. 

No  tempered-up  cement  will  be  used.  A  straight  edge  shall  be  used, 
and  the  different  sections  will  be  laid  in  perfect  lines  on  the  bottom 
and  sides,  but  in  no  case  shall  terra-cotta  pipes  be  permitted  within  5 
feet  of  any  foundation  wall  or  for  extension  to  connect  with  rain-water 
conductors,  surface  or  air  inlets. 

NOTE. — After  the  test  has  been  approved  by  the  inspector  iron 
drain  or  soil  pipes  may  be  tar  coated;  but  in  no  case  shall  any  coating 
be  applied  to  cast-iron  soil  or  drain  pipes  until  test  has  been  applied 
and  approved  by  the  inspector. 

The  house  sewer  shall  not  be  less  than  4:  inches  nor  more  than  10 
inches  in  diameter,  and  the  fall  shall  not  be  less  than  one-half  an  inch 
to  the  foot,  unless  by  special  permission  of  the  superior  board  of 
health.  It  shall  be  laid  in  a  trench  cut  at  a  uniform  grade,  or  it  may 
be  constructed  along  the  foundation  walls  above  the  cellar  floor,  resting 
on  9-inch  brick  piers  laid  in  cement  mortar  (said  piers  not  to  be  more 
than  7  feet  apart)  and  securely  fastened  to  said  walls.  No  test  shall 
be  made  by  the  inspector  until  said  pipes  are  secured  as  above  described. 

The  arrangement  of  sewer,  soil,  and  waste  pipes  shall  be  as  direct  as 
possible.  All  changes  in  direction  on  horizontal  pipes  shall  be  made 
with  Y -branches,  one-sixteenth  or  one-eighth  bends. 

The  house  drains  shall  be  provided  with  a  horizontal  trap  placed 
within  the  building  wall  nearest  to  the  sewer,  or  at  the  curb.  The 
trap  shall  have  a  hand  hole,  for  convenience  in  cleaning,  the  cover  of 
which  shall  be  properly  fitted  and  the  joints  made  air-tight. 

NOTE. — If  the  trap  on  the  sewer  is  placed  inside  of  the  cellar  wall 
there  shall  be  no  clean  out  between  the  water  seal  of  the  trap  and  the 
sewer. 

There  shall  be  an  inlet  for  fresh  air  entering  the  sewer  just  inside 
the  water  seal  of  the  main  trap,  and  also  of  the  rear  end  of  the  system, 
when  the  vertical  line  of  soil  pipe  is  located  in  the  central  part  of  the 
building  and  the  main  fresh-air  inlet  is  deemed  insufficient  to  ventilate 
the  entire  system.  Said  inlets  shall  be  at  least  tt  inches  in  diameter, 
leading  to  the  outer  air  and  opening  at  any  convenient  place,  with  an 
accessible  clean  out.  Where  air  inlets  are  located  off  the  footway,  on 
grass  plats,  lawns,  etc.,  they  shall  extend  not  less  than  6  nor  more  than 
15  inches  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  be  protected  by  a  cowl 
securely  fastened  with  bolts. 

Where  the  sewer  passes  through  a  new  foundation  wall  a  relieving 
arch  shall  be  built  over  it  with  a  2-inch  clearance  on  either  side. 

Every  vertical  soil  pipe  shall  extend  at  least  2  feet  above  the  highest 
part  of  the  building  or  contiguous  property,  and  shall  be  of  undimin- 
ished  size,  with  the  outlet  uncovered  except  with  a  wire  guard.  Such 
soil  pipe  shall  not  open  near  a  window  nor  an  air  shaft. 

Every  branch  or  horizontal  line  of  soil  pipe  to  which  a  group  of  two 
or  more  water-closets  are  to  be  connected,  and  every  branch  of  line  of 
horizontal  soil  pipe  8  feet  or  more  in  length,  shall  be  ventilated,  either 
by  extending  said  soil  pipe,  undiminished  in  size  to  at  least  2  feet  above 
the  highest  part  of  the  building  or  contiguous  property,  or  by  extend- 


EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        79 

ing  said  soil  pipe  or  connecting  it  with  the  main  soil  pipe  above  the 
highest  fixture,  or  by  a  ventilating  pipe  connected  to  the  crown  of 
each  water-closet  trap,  not  less  than  2  inches  in  diameter,  which  shall 
be  increased  one-half  an  inch  in  diameter  for  every  15  feet  in  length, 
and  connected  to  a  special  air  pipe,  which  shall  not  be  less  than  4  inches 
in  diameter,  or  by  connecting  said  ventilating  pipe  with  the  main  pipe 
above  the  highest  fixture. 

When  a  separate  line  of  waste  pipe  is  used,  not  connected  with  sewer 
pipes,  it  shall  also  be  carried  2  feet  above  the  highest  part  of  the  build- 
ing or  contiguous  property  unless  otherwise  permitted  by  the  superior 
board  of  health.  But  in  no  case  shall  a  waste  pipe  connect  with  a  rain- 
water conductor. 

There  shall  be  no  traps,  caps,  or  cowls  on  soil  and  waste  pipes  which 
will  interfere  with  the  system  of  ventilation. 

All  sewer,  soil,  waste,  antisiphon  pipes,  and  traps  inside  of  new 
buildings,  and  of  the  new  work  in  old  buildings,  and  also  of  the  entire 
system  when  alterations  are  made  in  old  buildings,  and  the  owner  or 
agent  of  said  building  or  buildings  shall  have  contracted  to  have  the 
entire  drainage  system  tested,  shall  have  openings  stopped,  and  a  test 
of  not  less  than  3  pounds  atmospheric  pressure  to  the  square  inch 
applied. 

All  sewer,  soil,  and  waste  pipes  and  traps  shall,  if  practicable,  be 
exposed  to  view  for  ready  inspection  at  all  times  and  for  convenience 
in  repairing.  When  placed  within  walls  or  partitions  and  not  exposed 
to  view,  or  not  covered  with  woodwork  fastened  with  screws  so  as  to 
be  readily  removed,  or  when  not  easily  accessible,  extra  heavy  pipes 
shall  be  used,  at  the  discretion  of  the  superior  board  of  health. 

No  plumbing  work  shall  be  covered  or  concealed  in  any  way  until 
after  it  has  been  examined  and  approved  by  the  house-drainage 
inspector,  and  notice  must  be  sent  to  the  superior  board  of  health,  in 
writing,  when  the  work  is  sufficiently  advanced  for  such  inspection, 
and  immediately  upon  the  completion  of  the  work  application  must 
be  made  for  final  inspection.  The  failure  on  the  part  of  a  master 
plumber  to  make  such  application  for  final  inspection  or  the  violation 
of  any  of  the  rules  of  the  board  of  health  in  the  construction  of  any 
drainage  work,  and  failure  to  correct  the  fault  after  notification,  will 
be  deemed  sufficient  cause  to  place  his  name  on  the  delinquent  list  until 
he  has  complied  with  said  rules  and  regulations.  Any  attempt  on  the 
part  of  a  master  plumber  to  construct  or  alter  a  system  of  sewerage 
during  the  time  his  name  appears  upon  said  delinquent  list  will  subject 
him  to  criminal  prosecution. 

All  sewer  and  antisiphon  pipes  of  cast  iron  shall  be  sound,  free  from 
holes,  and  of  a  uniform  thickness,  and  shall  conform  to  the  following 
relative  weights: 

Pounds  per  foot.  I  Pounds  per  foot. 

2-inch  pipe 4|     2-inch  pipe 5£ 

3-inch  pipe 6  j    3-inch  pipe 


4-inch  pipe . 

5-inch  pipe 12 


4-inch  pipe 13 

5-inch  pipe 17 


6-inch  pipe 15       6-inch  pipe 20 

7-inch  pipe 20  j     7-inch  pipe 27 

8-inch  pipe 25  j     8-inch  pipe 33 

10-inch  pipe 35  j  10-inch  pipe 45 

12-inch  pipe 45  |  12-inch  pipe 54 


80   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

All  sewer  and  antisiphon  cast-iron  pipes  shall  have  the  weight  per 
foot  and  the  name  of  the  manufacturer  cast  on  the  exterior  surface 
directly  back  of  the  hub  of  each  section  in  characters  not  less  than 
one-half  inch  in  length. 

Lead  waste  pipes  may  be  used  for  horizontal  lines  that  are  2  inches 
or  less  in  diameter,  and  shall  have  not  less  than  the  following  pre- 
scribed weights: 

Lbs.  oz. 

1-inch  pipe 2     0 

1^-inch  pipe 2    8 

1^-inch  pipe 3    8 

2-inch  pipe 4    0 

Lead  bands  or  traps  for  water-closets  shall  not  be  less  than  one-eighth 
of  an  inch  in  thickness. 

Waste  pipes  from  wash  basins,  sinks,  and  bath  tubs  shall  be  not  less 
than  li  inches  in  diameter,  and  wash-tray  waste  pipes  not  less  than  1£ 
inches  in  diameter. 

All  joints  in  cast-iron  drain,  soil,  and  waste  pipes  shall  be  so  calked 
with  oakum  and  lead,  or  with  cement  made  of  iron  filings  and  sal 
ammoniac,  as  to  make  them  gas-tight. 

All  connections  of  lead  with  iron  shall  be  made  with  a  brass  ferrule 
not  less  than  one-eighth  of  an  inch  in  thickness,  put  in  the  hub  of  the 
iron  pipe  and  calked  with  lead,  except  in  cases  of  iron  water-closet 
traps  or  old  work  when  drilling  or  tapping  is  permitted.  The  lead 
pipe  shall  be  attached  to  the  ferrule  by  a  wiped  solder  joint. 

All  connections  of  lead  pipe  shall  be  by  wiped  solder  joints. 

Every  water-closet,  sink,  basin,  wash-tray,  bath,  and  every  tub  or 
set  of  tubs,  shall  be  separately  and  effectually  trapped,  and  the  style 
of  trap  must  be  approved  by  the  superior  board  of  health. 

Each  trap  must  be  placed  as  near  the  fixture  as  practicable.  All 
waste  pipes  shall  be  provided  with  strong  metallic  strainers.  All  drains 
from  hydrants  shall  be  trapped,  and  in  a  manner  accessible  for  cleaning 
out. 

Traps  of  fixtures  shall  be  protected  from  siphonage.  All  anti- 
siphon  pipes  shall  be  carried  up  and  through  the  roof  or  connected 
with  the  main  soil  pipe  above  the  highest  fixture. 

Every  anti-siphon  pipe  shall  be  of  lead,  of  galvanized  gas  pipe,  or 
of  plain  cast-iron  pipe.  Where  these  pipes  go  through  the  roof,  they 
shall  extend  2  feet  above  the  highest  part  of  the  building  or  contig- 
uous property.  They  may  be  combined  together  with  those  which 
serve  several  traps.  These  pipes,  where  not  vertical,  must  always 
have  a  continuous  slope  to  avoid  collecting  water  by  condensation. 

All  drip  or  overflow  pipes  from  safes  under  wash  basins,  baths, 
urinals,  water-closets,  or  other  fixtures,  shall  be  by  a  special  pipe  run  to 
an  open  sink  outside  the  house,  or  some  conspicuous  point,  and  in  no 
case  shall  any  such  pipe  be  connected  with  a  soil,  sewer,  or  waste  pipe. 

No  waste  sewer  pipe  from  a  refrigerator  or  other  receptacle  in  which 
provisions  are  stored  shall  be  connected  with  any  sewer,  soil,  or  other 
waste  pipe.  Such  waste  pipes  shall  be  so  arranged  as  to  admit  of  fre- 
quent flushing,  and  shall  be  as  short  as  possible. 

All  water-closets  within  buildings  shall  be  supplied  with  water  from 
special  tanks  or  cisterns  which  shall  hold  not  less  than  8  gallons  of 
water  when  up  to  the  level  of  the  overflow  pipe  for  each  closet  sup- 
plied, excepting  automatic  or  siphon  tanks,  which  shall  hold  not  less 
than  5  gallons  of  water  for  each  closet  supplied.  The  water  in  said 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        81 

tanks  shall  not  be  used  for  any  other  purpose.  The  flushing  pipes  of 
all  tanks  shall  not  be  less  than  li  inches  in  diameter. 

A  group  of  closets  may  be  supplied  from  one  tank,  but  water-closets 
on  different  floors  shall  not  be  flushed  from  one  tank. 

The  inclosure  of  the  yard  water-closet  shall  be  ventilated  by  slatted 
openings. 

Water-closets  must  not  be  located  in  the  sleeping  apartments  of  any 
building,  nor  in  any  room  or  apartment  which  has  not  direct  com- 
munication with  the  external  air,  either  by  a  window  or  by  an  air 
shaft;  having  an  area  to  the  open  air  of  at  least  4  square  feet,  and  such 
areas  must  remain  open  at  all  times. 

The  containers  of  all  water-closets  within  a  building  using  lead  con- 
nections shall  have  a  cast  brass  flange,  not  less  than  three-sixteenths  of 
an  inch  in  thickness  (fitted  with  a  pure  rubber  gasket  of  sufficient 
thickness  to  insure  a  tight  joint),  bolted  to  the  closet. 

Where  latrines  are  used  for  schools,  they  shall  be  porcelain  lined  or 
of  iron,  properly  supplied  with  water,  and  located  in  the  yard  at  least 
20  feet  from  the  building,  when  practicable. 

Rain-water  conductors,  where  the  water  is  not  stored,  shall  be  con- 
nected with  the  house  drain  or  sewer  and  be  provided  with  a  trap  the 
seal  of  which  shall  not  be  less  than  5  inches.  Said  trap  shall  have  a 
hand-hole  for  convenience  in  cleaning,  the  cover  of  which  shall  be 
made  air-tight. 

Rain  conductors  shall  not  be  connected  outside  of  the  main  trap,  nor 
used  as  soil,  waste,  or  vent  pipes;  nor  shall  any  soil,  waste,  or  air  pipe 
be  used  as  a  rain  conductor,  and  if  placed  within  a  building  shall  be  of 
cast-iron  pipe  with  leaded  joints. 

No  steam  exhaust  or  waste  from  steam  pipes  shall  be  connected  with 
any  house  sewer  or  soil  pipe. 

No  privy  vault  or  cesspool  for  sewage  shall  hereafter  be  constructed 
in  any  part  of  San  Juan,  Ponce,  or  Mayaguez  where  a  sewer  is  at  all 
accessible. 

No  connection  from  any  cesspool  or  privy  vault  shall  be  made  with 
any  sewer,  nor  shall  any  water-closet  or  house  drainage  empty  into  a 
cesspool  or  privy  vault. 

In  rural  districts  waste  pipes  from  buildings  may  be  connected  with 
cesspools  constructed  for  mat  special  purpose,  properly  flagged  or 
arched  over,  and  not  water-tight,  by  special  permission  of  the  local 
board  of  health. 

No  opening  shall  be  permitted  in  the  sewer  pipe  of  any  building  for 
the  purpose  of  draining  a  cellar,  unless  by  special  permission  by  the 
board  of  health. 

Cellar  drains  shall  be  constructed  as  follows:  By  a  sj^stem  of  field  tile, 
to  a  catch  basin,  flagged  over,  the  outlet  pipe  shall  be  properly  trapped 
and  connected  with  the  house  drain,  and  shall  also  be  provided  with  a 
back-pressure  valve  or  stopcock  the  required  size. 

DISSECTION. 

The  dissection  of  human  bodies  and  the  performance  of  autopsies 
upon  the  same,  in  the  interest  of  medical  and  surgical  science,  is  legal 
in  Porto  Rico.  All  such  dissections  shall  be  carried  on  under  rules 
and  regulations  to  be  prescribed  by  the  superior  board  of  health. 

19709—01 6 


82       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO, 

COLLECTION  OF  VITAL  STATISTICS. 

About  the  year  1885  the  Spanish  Government  established  in  each 
municipality  a  civil  registry  office,  in  charge  of  a  municipal  judge.  In 
this  office  record  was  made  of  all  deaths,  births,  and  marriages. 

The  following  methods  were  adopted  at  that  time  and  are  still  in 
force:  Before  the  burial  of  a  body  was  permitted  in  a  cemetery,  a  cer- 
tificate of  registry  was  required  from  the  municipal  judge.  This  was 
given  only  after  a  physician's  certificate  of  death  was  presented  at  the 
office  of  the  civil  register,  together  with  a  signed  declaration  by  a  rel- 
ative of  the  deceased,  giving  the  writer's  name,  age,  civil  state,  and 
degree  of  relationship,  also  the  name,  age,  occupation,  residence,  and 
civil  state  of  the  deceased,  and  date  of  death. 

A  large  proportion  of  deaths  occur  without  medical  attendance.  In 
these  cases  certificates  are  obtained  from  the  municipal  physician,  who 
diagnoses  the  case  after  securing  a  history  from  the  relatives.  If  there 
should  be  cause  for  suspicion,  the  certificate  is  refused,  and  an  autopsy 
ordered  by  the  judge.  Under  these  circumstances  accuracy  as  to  the 
number  of  deaths  was  obtained,  but  accuracy  as  to  diagnosis  was 
impossible. 

The  peons  travel  miles,  carrying  their  dead,  to  secure  the  required 
certificate  from  the  titular  physician,  who  ma}T  learn  that  the  deceased 
was  suffering  from  diarrhea,  and  possibly  some  abdominal  pains. 
Nothing  further  is  obtainable,  and  "dysentery  "  is  the  verdict.  Or  the 
history  is  even  more  indefinite;  possibly  no  symptoms  were  apparent 
to  the  ignorant  friends  present,  and  so  "anemia"  shoulders  the  blame. 

The  facts  in  each  case  are  duly  entered  in  the  office  records,  and  sta- 
tistics as  to  the  number  of  deaths  since  1885  are  fairly  reliable. 


The  laws  governing  the  registration  of  births,  if  enforced,  would 
insure  correct  returns.  They  require  an  immediate  report  of  a  birth 
from  the  physician  or  midwife  in  attendance  thereon.  Also  a  declara- 
tion b}7  the  parent  at  the  office  of  the  municipal  judge  within  fifteen 
days  after  birth,  giving  name,  age,  residence,  and  occupation  of  parents 
and  grandparents.  The  time  for  making  the  returns  was  later  extended 
to  forty  days.  A  certificate  of  such  registry  was  issued,  the  presen- 
tation of  which  to  the  priest  was  necessary  before  baptism  could  be 
performed.  But  the  law  was  not  enforced.  Physicians  and  midwives, 
relying  on  the  parents  to  make  the  returns,  failed  to  report  the  cases; 
baptism  was  performed  without  the  judge's  certificate,  and  the  parents 
delayed  registering  the  birth  until  such  time  as  convenient  or  certain 
legal  questions  necessitated  it.  This  registration  was  frequently  post- 
poned several  years,  and  consequently  birth  returns  are  not  reliable. 

MARRIAGES. 

Marriages  were  always  religious,  but  to  give  them  a  legal  status  it 
was  necessary  to  fill  out  a  certificate  of  intention,  to  be  filed  with  the 
civil  registry,  and  also,  subsequent  to  the  ceremony,  a  declaration  of 

1  Still  births  are  recorded  in  a  book  especially  kept  for  that  purpose. 


EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.       83 

its  having  been  performed.  The  civil  process,  as  well  as  the  religious 
services,  was  often  deferred  and  frequently  entirely  omitted,  and  sta- 
tistics of  marriages  are  consequently  not  entirely  to  be  relied  upon. 

The  law  of  civil  registry  required  that  a  numerical  report  of  deaths, 
births,  and  marriages  should  be  sent  direct  to  the  governor-general 
every  fifteen  days.  These  were  to  be  referred  to  the  bureau  of  statis- 
tics. An  annual  report  was  also  forwarded  by  the  municipal  regis- 
trars to  the  "juez  de  first  instancia  del  partido,"  giving  name,  age, 
sex,  civil  state,  and  any  other  data  bearing  on  the  cases. 

Whether  these  reports  were  regularly  made  or  not  is  uncertain.  It 
is,  however,  certain  that  they  were  never  published.  It  is  presumed 
that  they  were  placed  on  file,  but  if  so,  they  were  either  destroyed  upon 
the  arrival  of  our  forces  or  shipped  to  Spain,  probably  the  former. 

Such  of  the  following  statistics  as  refer  to  former  years  were  gath- 
ered by  communicating  with  the  several  municipal  judges  in  charge  of 
the  registry  offices. 

STATISTICS. 

During  the  year  ending  December  31,  1899,  there  were  reported 
39,918  deaths  from  all  causes,  making  a  death  rate  of  41  per  thousand. 

Compared  with  the  two  preceding  year,s,  in  1897  the  rate  was  34, 
and  in  1898  the  rate  was  35,  per  thousand. 

The  number  of  deaths  reported  in  1899  was  greater  by  6,568  than 
in  1898,  and  by  9,362  than  in  1897. 

There  was  1  death  to  24  of  the  population  against  1  to  27.4  in  1898, 
and  1  to  29  in  1897. 

The  following  table  presents  the  number  of  deaths  during  each  of 
the  past  ten  years,  with  the  rate  per  thousand. 

As  noted  above,  the  aggregation  of  statistics  for  the  past  years  was 
not  to  be  found.  It  was  obviously  not  practicable  to  secure  details  as 
to  all  the  causes  of  death  by  communicating  with  every  municipality, 
and  consequently  it  is  not  possible  to  divide  the  deaths  in  the  following 
table  as  to  age  and  class  of  disease. 

However,  this  course  was  pursued  to  obtain  information  in  cases  of 
particular  interest,  as  for  records  of  the  important  diseases  tabulated 
below. 


1890. 

1891. 

1892. 

1893. 

1894. 

1895. 

1896. 

1897. 

1898. 

1899. 

Deaths  

26  947 

23  989 

24  474 

21  616 

24  892 

26  284 

25  435 

31  980 

33  614 

39  918 

Rate  per  thousand. 

32 

28 

27.6 

25.7 

28.5 

'  29 

27.7 

'  34 

'  35 

'  41 

The  island  was  divided  under  Spanish  dominion  into  70  municipal 
districts.  Since  the  American  occupation  5  of  these  have  been  con- 
solidated with  4  contiguous  districts,  namely:  Piedras  with  Humacao, 
Hormigueros  with  Mayaguez,  Barceloneta  with  Manati,  and  Luquillo 
and  Cieba  with  Fa  jar  do. 

The  population  of  the  districts  varies  all  the  way  from  4,000  to 
50,000.  A  census  was  taken  in  1887,  1897,  and  1899.  The  population 
for  the  intermediate  years  has.been  estimated. 


84       EEPOET  OF  SUPEEIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 


The  prevalence  of  certain  important  diseases  in  the  several  munici- 
pal districts  for  each  of  the  past  ten  years  is  exhibited  in  the  following 
tabulated  statements: 

ADJUNTAS. 


Year. 

I 
1 

CO 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890  

2 

2 

1 

g 

18 

1 

148 

1891  

1 

2 

1 

3 

7 

101 

1892 

1 

5 

13 

19 

7 

185 

1893 

1 

2 

4 

12 

1 

130 

1894  

1 

1 

40 

1 

19 

2 

151 

1895              ..     ...     

3 

4 

16 

14 

5 

129 

1896 

1 

5 

22 

20 

7 

147 

1897  1  

1 

3 

2 

7 

3 

21 

8 

161 

1898  

6 

7 

5 

9 

12 

5 

312 

1899 

4 

1' 

16 

233 

17 

9 

470 

AIBONITO. 


1890 

14 
11 
6 
7 
14 
15 
12 
10 
7 
7 

49 
58 
45 
54 
74 
73 
66 
103 
125 
148 

1891 

8 
2 

4 

1 

1892  

2 

1 

1893 

1894 

1 

3 

8 

1 

1895  

1 

4 

1896      

1 

1897 

1 
3 

1 

129 
14 

1 
2 

1898  

1 

1899  

i 

24 

AGUADA. 

[Report  incomplete.] 

1890 

12 

1891  

8 

1892. 

7 

1893 

10 

18 

3 

62 

1894 

9 

1895  . 

6 

1896 

9 

1897 

5 

1898 

6 

1 

1899 

3 

AGUADILLA. 


1890 

16 

5 

7 

1 

82 

8 

31 

1891 

1 

1 

11 

5 

64 

14 

42 

1892 

2 

15 

7 

1 

59 

10 

25 

1893 

2 

2 

2 

3 

65 

5 

26 

1894 

2 

2 

1 

80 

4 

28 

1895 

1 

6 

77 

4 

34 

1896                            .  . 

73 

12 

1 

5 

2 

1 

64 

5 

26 

1897 

1 

6 

6 

7 

63 

10 

37 

1898    

4 

14 

3 

5 

78 

29 

78 

1899         

2 

14 

31 

2 

62 

37 

125 

AGUAS  BUENAS. 


1890            

5 

9 

2 

3 

12 

6 

56 

1891 

3 

8 

1 

2 

9 

4 

75 

1892 

1 

8 

9 

8 

14 

43 

1893        

6 

3 

10 

12 

11 

31 

1894                 

11 

5 

3 

12 

10 

45 

1895 

5 

10 

6 

14 

33 

1896 

18 

6 

23 

20 

8 

53 

1897  

25 

9 

16 

15 

3 

45 

1898                    

16 

10 

16 

5 

95 

1899 

10 

2 

8 

8 

115 

EEPOET  OF  SUPEEIOE    BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 

ANASCO. 


85 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

fi 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890        

91 

1 

1 

3 

44 

2 

1891                     

1 

8 

3 

2 

11 

30 

4 

1892 

4 

1 

3 

8 

33 

8 

1893 

3 

1 

4 

3 

30 

5 

1894                             -  • 

3 

2 

7 

17 

33 

2 

1895 

1 

6 

8 

6 

31 

27 

10 

1896                          

144 

1 

2 

4 

7 

25 

41 

7 

1897 

30 

1 

7 

43 

1 

15 

15 

3 

1898 

23 

3 

1 

90 

3 

18 

23 

1899 

1 

1 

33 

34 

6 

ARECIBO. 


1890                           

151 

3 

22 

89 

14 

1891 

6 

21 

6 

82 

11( 

1892 

7 

1 

12 

5 

115 

10' 

1893 

2 

6 

62 

4 

98 

10, 

1894 

1 

8 

37 

11 

98 

10< 

1895                          

4 

1 

10 

3 

18 

83 

8< 

1896 

9 

1 

47 

15 

97 

14* 

1897                         

1 

57 

7 

99 

19( 

1898 

1 

5 

7 

118 

5 

18 

104 

34- 

1899 

7 

146 

73 

131 

4?< 

ARROYO. 


1890 

25 

5 

2 

13 

9 

1891 

76 

6 

1 

14 

6 

1892 

4 

1 

10 

11 

1893 

5 

3 

15 

9 

1894                      

1 

1 

3 

16 

4 

1895 

4 

5 

1 

21 

9 

1896 

1 

1 

2 

11 

4 

1897 

7 

5 

2 

18 

1898 

2 

10 

17 

1 

8 

1899                           

3 

14 

19 

5 

13 

BARRANQUITAS. 


1890 

9 

3 

6 

4 

26 

1891        .        .   ..     

1 

1 

1 

9 

5 

22 

1892 

2 

5 

9 

14 

18 

1893 

1 

2 

5 

14 

33 

1894 

1 

1 

4 

3 

26 

1895 

4 

7 

1 

38 

1896 

8 

2 

9 

3 

48 

1897 

6 

2 

42 

4 

4 

86 

1898 

14 

9 

5 

9 

104 

1899 

10 

22 

128 

1 

1 

4 

128 

BARROS. 


1890                 .       ... 

10 

12 

6 

30 

3 

19 

20 

32 

1891 

2 

20 

8 

15 

20 

15 

26 

1892  

7 

3 

21 

6 

11 

8 

20 

26 

1893 

6 

6 

15 

12 

10 

18 

1894 

8 

3 

16 

8 

26 

20 

1895  

1 

3 

8 

16 

10 

28 

39 

1896 

1 

10 

7 

20 

11 

27 

38 

1897  ,  

8 

2 

13 

3 

29 

3 

8 

16 

39 

1898  

31 

10 

12 

2 

18 

6 

28 

46 

1899 

6 

1 

129 

4 

9 

29 

331 

86       EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


BARCELONETA. 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890... 

35 

2 

4 

6 

3 

62 

1891 

6 

2 

1 

g 

41 

1892 

3 

10 

14 

21 

82 

1893  

1 

1 

1 

1 

15 

21 

70 

1894        

1 

2 

14 

18 

76 

1895 

8 

3 

g 

14 

12 

108 

1896  

23 

4 

1 

5 

2 

10 

7 

103 

1897  

1 

8 

19 

133 

1898 

2 

2 

8 

36 

255 

1899 

3 

10 

13 

346 

BAYAMON. 


1890 

3 

9 

2 

5 

6 

38 

30 

98 

1891  

1 

8 

6 

2 

2 

47 

18 

102 

1892  

7 

7 

3 

6 

3 

42 

33 

85 

1893 

1 

1 

5 

2 

62 

30 

76 

1894 

90 

1 

1 

4 

12 

5 

65 

24 

60 

1895  

189 

1 

1 

13 

1 

7 

55 

29 

24 

1896 

1 

15 

11 

1 

52 

21 

51 

1897 

3 

23 

160 

1 

70 

23 

90 

1898  

1 

2 

15 

66 

2 

75 

18 

68 

1899 

3 

13 

54 

2 

66 

33 

115 

CAROLINA. 


1890.  .  . 

1 

12 

1 

1 

35 

8 

38 

1891 

10 

4 

40 

20 

30 

1892 

6 

1 

1 

32 

6 

27 

1893  

1 

3 

2 

,39 

12 

29 

1894 

1 

18 

1 

24 

6 

28 

1895 

40 

1 

8 

2 

44 

8 

27 

1896 

2 

11 

30 

1 

34 

1897 

1 

7 

20 

43 

1 

25 

1898 

1 

1 

34 

40 

2 

25 

1899  

2 

1 

3 

44 

4 

54 

CAGUAS. 


1890 

232 

6 

6 

1 

1 

31 

8 

94 

1891 

7 

1 

2 

7 

1 

26 

4 

104 

1892  

1 

1 

2 

7 

6 

34 

5 

81 

1893  ...          ...     

1 

3 

19 

4 

91 

1894 

2 

1 

19 

43 

11 

77 

1895 

6 

2 

1 

5 

1 

38 

13 

88 

1896  

1 

1 

32 

37 

12 

122 

1897 

3 

150 

35 

5 

168 

1898 

1 

1 

69 

1 

34 

5 

298 

1899  

3 

117 

44 

20 

253 

CIALES. 


1890. 

8 

5 

7 

1 

10 

31 

91 

1891 

8 

3 

7 

12 

16 

42 

1892  

12 

8 

6 

3 

14 

15 

112 

1893  

3 

13 

5 

3 

11 

9 

141 

1894 

2 

3 

1 

3 

9 

8 

152 

1895 

3 

2 

2 

16 

25 

140 

1896 

4 

3 

19 

25 

129 

1897. 

7 

1 

22 

24 

230 

1898 

16 

1 

6 

5 

19 

29 

377 

1899 

16 

13 

1 

328 

9 

81 

410 

EEPOET  OF  SUPEKIOR    BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 

CAMUY. 


87 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890                         

4 

9 

3 

19 

96 

1891 

3 

3 

20 

84 

1892                   

3 

1 

17 

66 

1893 

5 

1 

21 

57 

1894        

2 

1 

11 

27 

1895 

3 

8 

9 

5 

67 

1896 

2 

1 

16 

1 

4 

70 

1897                    

4 

8 

2 

17 

7 

55 

1898 

5 

11 

3 

1 

8 

6 

91 

1899           

18 

61 

18 

1 

68 

COROZAL. 


1890 

6 

3 

19 

5 

17 

1891   .     

3 

4 

1 

23 

2 

5 

1892 

4 

5 

2 

12 

5 

11 

1893  

8 

11 

19 

6 

27 

1894 

8 

2 

5 

21 

1 

36 

1895  

10 

10 

1 

3 

25 

2 

38 

1896 

7 

2 

21 

3 

52 

1897  

8 

1 

14 

16 

4 

58 

1898.                           .-.. 

2 

8 

32 

18 

5 

104 

1899 

1 

7 

100 

16 

14 

131 

CABO-ROJO. 


1890 

10 

8 

3 

4 

3 

2 

43 

131 

1891  

5 

6 

6 

3 

5 

33 

127 

1892  

1 

12 

1 

40 

38 

84 

1893 

9 

2 

10 

1 

1 

33 

21 

35 

1894  

1 

7 

55 

2 

61 

19 

32 

1895 

1 

4 

12 

90 

59 

29 

50 

1  896  '  

7 

8 

40 

38 

26 

61 

1897 

25 

4 

8 

19 

38 

21 

56 

1898 

50 

7 

16 

16 

1 

45 

26 

104 

1899  

1 

7 

11 

23 

2 

50 

23 

142 

CAYEY. 


1890... 

24 

5 

6 

4 

1 

20 

1 

81 

1891 

4 

3 

3 

1 

8 

2 

81 

1892  

1 

1 

12 

4 

71 

1893 

1 

1 

8 

4 

91 

1894  

1 

3 

3 

2 

14 

116 

1895  

1 

1 

1 

2 

43 

12 

1 

122 

1896 

1 

1 

13 

1 

5 

113 

1897  

7 

1 

55 

5 

125 

1898. 

2 

23 

1 

1 

225 

1899 

3 

10 

2 

10 

2 

260 

COAMO. 


1890 

3 

2 

18 

2 

5 

23 

17 

19 

1891  

1 

6 

3 

3 

22 

21 

16 

1892  

2 

3 

2 

3 

20 

17 

13 

1893 

11 

2 

4 

2 

33 

19 

18 

1894  

5 

9 

8 

2 

25 

13 

21 

1895  

9 

8 

1 

1 

34 

3 

11 

18% 

4 

4 

18 

18 

1 

11 

1897  

1 

3 

10 

86 

38 

4 

39 

1898  

5 

5 

5 

19 

3 

42 

1899 

3 

7 

9 

5 

33 

5 

48 

88       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

CIDRA. 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

I 

ft 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Ansemia. 

1890 

12 

1 

6 

1 

15 

1891  

5 

1 

4 

35 

1892  

1 

1 

2 

2 

69 

1893  

7 

4 

2 

32 

1894 

3 

3 

12 

1 

3 

80 

1895  

5 

87 

1896  

8 

1 

2 

1 

42 

1897 

5 

5 

1898 

1 

2 

1 

24 

1899  

COMERIO. 


1890  

52 

2 

7 

2 

17 

55 

1891... 

2 

4 

9 

14 

33 

1892.... 

1 

5 

2 

3 

9 

22 

1893  

1 

1 

1 

7 

10 

41 

1894  

1 

1 

4 

1 

11 

7 

65 

1895 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

10 

6 

44 

1896  

1 

15 

10 

4 

74 

1897  

1 

40 

1 

7 

7 

84 

1898 

5 

3 

47 

7 

9 

161 

1899 

7 

3 

g 

1 

13 

4 

167 

DORADO. 


1890 

1 

1 

9 

11 

16 

1891  

2 

i 

2 

1 

13 

9 

9 

1892  . 

3 

2 

12 

11 

IS 

1893 

2 

6 

11 

6 

15 

1894  

1 

1 

12 

6 

17 

1895.  .  . 

4 

5 

1 

13 

4 

9 

1896 

6 

1 

7 

4 

10 

1897  

6 

5 

6 

1 

8 

1898  

2 

5 

9 

2 

11 

1899 

7 

2 

5 

3 

8 

8 

FAJARDO. 


1890 

3 

6 

1 

2 

9 

51 

27 

7 

1891 

1 

16 

11 

63 

26 

9 

1892 

1 

3 

5 

44 

44 

12 

1893  

2 

5 

9 

1 

61 

41 

7 

1894 

6 

2 

2 

14 

8 

52 

24 

16 

1895  

74 

3 

2 

3 

11 

5 

45 

20 

3 

1896  .  .. 

88 

1 

2 

2 

12 

37 

23 

1897 

9 

6 

7 

9 

11 

47 

30 

12 

1898 

2 

1 

10 

10 

6 

48 

64 

25 

1899  

1 

i 

6 

21 

1 

30 

37 

15 

GUAYAMA. 


1890 

9 

30 

2 

8 

1 

47 

13 

11 

1891  

12 

17 

4 

12 

48 

9 

26 

1892  

13 

4 

4 

47 

5 

14 

1893 

6 

6 

4 

1 

35 

13 

20 

1894 

3 

5 

6 

46 

14 

16 

1895  

4 

4 

7 

2 

33 

19 

16 

18%  

13 

6 

4 

3 

41 

11 

20 

1897 

8 

5 

108 

1 

37 

15 

44 

1898 

1 

10 

2 

21 

48 

9 

68 

1899  

8 

11 

5 

14 

2 

47 

16 

57 

EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR   BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

GUAYANILLA. 


89 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890 

8 

1 

2 

3 

22 

21 

30 

1891.      

32 

3 

1 

1 

15 

20 

20 

1892 

1 

1 

1 

4 

24 

18 

20 

1893 

2 

25 

12 

22 

1894 

1 

6 

1 

13 

14 

20 

1895 

1 

4 

5 

2 

12 

7 

46 

1896  

6 

18 

5 

2& 

1897 

1 

3 

15 

12 

41 

1898  

50 

1 

2 

8 

25 

9 

79- 

1899               

5 

1 

24 

13 

12 

77 

GURABO. 


1890 

115 

6 

1 

3 

1 

11 

56 

1891 

2 

3 

1 

3 

12 

38 

1892  

1 

4 

16 

9 

44 

1893 

1 

9 

7 

4 

45 

1894  

6 

1 

11 

5 

21 

1895 

1 

1 

4 

1 

1 

12 

16 

33 

1896  

2 

14 

3 

40 

1897  

1 

29 

9 

2 

64 

1898 

1 

7 

61 

g 

4 

55 

1899  

9 

1 

19 

1 

15 

31 

92 

HATILLO. 


1890 

10 

9 

1 

21 
21 
33 
25 
20 
30 
29 
19 
24 
1 

71 
49 
81 
71 
87 
69 
80 
72 
79 
64 

1891 

6 

4 

1892  

1 

4 

1893 

8 

1894  

9 

1895 

1 

1 

7 

1896  

3 

1897  

1 

1 

1 
2 
2 

1898 

2 

30 

1899  

2 

59 

HORMIGUEROS. 

1890 

35 

1 

3 

10 

4 

1 

1891  

1892 

1 

1 

1893  

1 

3 

1894  

2 

1895 

1 
1 

2 

35 

4 



4 
6 
6 

7 
7 

5 
6 
18 
16 
16 

6 
7 
14 
30 
30 

1896  

1897  

12 

1 

6 

1898  

1 

1899  

1 

1 

HATO-GRANDE. 


1890... 

46 

1 

2 

1 

17 

3 

74. 

1891  

48 

9 

4 

2 

14 

3 

69 

1892  

16 

18 

g 

1 

18 

8 

15 

1893  

4 

19 

13 

2 

20 

1894  . 

2 

4 

17 

21 

1 

4 

1895  

2 

1 

4 

11 

1 

1 

22 

3 

10 

1896  

3 

16 

10 

31 

38 

1897  

2 

10 

14 

9 

27 

1898  

1 

19 

4 

29 

1 

53 

1899  

9 

10 

45 

130 

REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

HUMACAO. 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

8 

1 
fc 
,2 
"3 
>* 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

1 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890 

30 

20 

22 

26 

1 

40 

-[^ 

150 

1891  

4 

1 

26 

12 

13 

26 

3 

95 

1892 

g 

20 

18 

41 

4 

140 

1893 

5 

4 

30 

14 

40 

1 

76 

1894  

20 

51 

9 

19 

57 

3 

48 

1895  

77 

1 

22 

22 

21 

1 

38 

2 

61 

1896 

1 

20 

22 

44 

38 

1 

97 

1897  

13 

24 

107 

37 

3 

78 

1898  

19 

17 

44 

48 

5 

75 

1899 

3 

29 

g 

29 

38 

9 

86 

ISABELA. 


1890 

10 

2 

4 

4 

1 

13 

3 

44 

1891  

1 

13 

12 

24 

1 

76 

1892  .. 

1 

g 

3 

20 

21 

6 

48 

1893 

1 

2 

3 

12 

36 

45 

1894  

1 

6 

1 

23 

31 

58 

1895. 

4 

2 

2 

2 

14 

38 

65 

1896 

11 

1 

2 

5 

2 

2 

25 

27 

55 

1897  

1 

2 

5 

3 

22 

11 

53 

1898..  . 

4 

4 

1 

38 

3 

69 

1899 

1 

14 

g 

25 

22 

125 

JUNCOS. 


1890. 

122 

1 

3 

1 

6 

24 

21 

46 

1891 

4 

12 

3 

19 

15 

40 

1892  

4 

1 

1 

17 

19 

64 

Ig93  

6 

4 

1 

15 

5 

24 

1894 

g 

2 

1 

15 

4 

17 

1895  

3 

3 

18 

5 

26 

1896.  .  .  . 

3 

18 

5 

3 

22 

4 

48 

1897 

4 

7 

g 

22 

3 

42 

1898  

11 

64 

23 

1 

85 

1899  

5 

5 

12 

28 

3 

98 

JUANA  DIAZ. 


1890. 

223 

2 

17 

20 

g 

34 

35 

70 

1891 

50 

2 

28 

20 

g 

27 

36 

95 

1892  

20 

20 

21 

14 

40 

37 

72 

1893 

4 

6 

59 

12 

76 

1894 

4 

10 

7 

59 

27 

54 

1895  

1 

g 

50 

9 

61 

1896 

2 

23 

11 

43 

19 

30 

1897 

13 

29 

12 

51 

13 

25 

1898  

9 

57 

41 

7 

48 

17 

35 

Ig99  

15 

24 

2 

127 

58 

27 

41 

LARES. 


1890 

64 

2 

2 

13 

34 

24 

1891  

2 

2 

7 

21 

18 

W 

Ig92  

2 

1 

2 

6 

25 

17 

23 

1893 

1 

1 

4 

16 

7 

18 

1894  

1 

27 

20 

12 

m 

1895  

6 

1 

g 

1 

2 

2 

17 

5 

14, 

1896  .. 

9 

6 

2 

6 

25 

9 

215 

1897 

4 

7 

4 

3 

25 

10 

15* 

1898  

1 

9 

3 

44 

42 

7 

41  i 

1899  

2 

6 

44 

19 

15 

641 

REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

LAS  MARIAS. 


91 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

i 

OJ 

*a> 

N 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890 

54 

3 

3 

20 

1 

42 

1891 

1 

7 

1 

20 

7 

34 

1892 

3 

8 

11 

6 

71 

1893                        

2 

1 

4 

11 

3 

25 

1894 

4 

7 

21 

4 

32 

1895                 

10 

1 

6 

3 

16 

11 

26 

1896 

5 

5 

3 

15 

19 

1897 

3 

1 

1 

10 

8 

46 

1898                      .      

1 

1 

7 

19 

5 

127 

1899 

5 

11 

36 

9 

2 

102 

LAJAS. 


1890 

30 

17 

12 

2 

4 

12 

1891 

13 

10 

6 

1 

1 

3 

13 

1892 

18 

15 

2 

7 

7 

1893                    

19 

25 

5 

10 

1894 

7 

17 

9 

27 

1895            

1 

11 

23 

12 

8 

17 

1896 

3 

2 

16 

2 

35 

1897 

5 

1 

5 

4 

13 

3 

21 

1898 

99 

2 

8 

9 

12 

4 

68 

1899 

2 

3 

9 

8 

6 

16 

62 

LOIZA. 


1890. 

16 

2 

2 

3 

28 

7 

31 

1891 

5 

6 

3 

11 

14 

23 

1892  

13 

4 

3 

14 

14 

24 

1893 

6 

11 

2 

2 

13 

19 

15 

1894  

3 

6 

9 

1 

13 

28 

15 

1895      .  . 

2 

6 

5 

i 

14 

17 

10 

1896 

25 

3 

3 

15 

10 

26 

1897  

13 

2 

36 

2 

12 

16 

18 

1898 

13 

8 

39 

1 

17 

11 

22 

1899  

8 

7 

12 

15 

14 

30 

MANATI. 


1890.  .  . 

8 

6 

5 

5 

18 

5 

11 

1891. 

117 

5 

2 

3 

1 

19 

5 

11 

1892 

3 

1 

22 

11 

47 

1893  

11 

2 

24 

il 

73 

1894 

2 

1 

2 

5 

6 

2 

29 

9 

97 

1895  

39 

1 

3 

5 

2 

4 

25 

2 

71 

1896 

12 

1 

6 

6 

6 

1 

14 

9 

96 

1897 

11 

g 

18 

28 

4 

131 

1898  

2 

6 

21 

45 

3 

166 

1899 

1 

7 

19 

23 

2 

164 

MOROVIS. 


1890.  .  . 

4 

1 

2 

1 

30 

1891 

7 

3 

1 

1 

10 

17 

1892  

4 

7 

1 

1 

14 

38 

1893  

6 

5 

3 

18 

33 

1894 

8 

7 

1 

2 

19 

41 

1895  

1 

2 

3 

10 

21 

68 

1896. 

9 

4 

1 

1 

17 

21 

42 

1897 

2 

4 

4 

3 

15 

19 

79 

1898  

3 

2 

2 

31 

13 

20 

139 

1899  

1 

1 

9 

38 

7 

16 

84 

92       EEPORT  OF  SUPERIOE   BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 

MAYAGUEZ. 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

fc 

^o 

§ 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890  

225 

2 

9 

7 

27 

6 

164 

30 

132 

1891.       

3 

2 

7 

1 

41 

7 

36- 

1892 

27 

8 

3 

43 

2 

143 

28 

256- 

1893  

5 

11 

3 

20 

3 

142 

31 

140> 

1894  

6 

10 

52 

7 

168 

46 

142 

1895. 

14 

6 

13 

196 

1 

154 

45 

126. 

1896 

11 

1 

13 

27 

116 

4 

148 

51 

144 

1897  

219 

17 

15 

54 

6 

192 

45 

153- 

1898  

12 

26 

5 

63 

6 

212 

46 

240 

1899 

27 

13 

95 

7 

186 

64 

21Qt 

MARICAO. 


1890... 

21 

17 

1 

54 

5f 

1891  . 

15 

7 

7 

4 

49 

5( 

1892 

36 

4 

12 

3 

25 

4( 

1893  

37 

4 

11 

39 

4( 

1894  

1 

33 

3 

49 

14 

44 

65 

1895 

33 

22 

23 

23 

4 

41 

61 

1896  

41 

1 

22 

22 

38 

ft 

1897  

2 

21 

1 

17 

1 

24 

32 

55 

1898 

2 

28 

1 

21 

31 

25 

57 

11< 

1899  

2 

1 

19 

1 

5 

42 

135 

MAUNABO. 


1890  

4 

2 

9 

10 

12 

150- 

1891. 

5 

1 

3 

3 

11 

17 

159< 

1892 

15 

12 

15 

15 

190 

1893  

2 

1 

2 

11 

11 

145- 

1894.     .      

3 

9 

14 

8 

128. 

1895 

2 

2 

11 

10 

11 

155 

18%  

1 

2 

2 

16 

16 

8 

172 

1897  

2 

1 

17 

10 

6 

295- 

1898 

5 

8 

14 

225- 

1899 

5 

6 

5 

18 

290. 

MOCA. 


1890 

3 

10 

5 

1 

17 

2 

67 

1891 

2 

5 

3 

4 

1 

12 

2 

98 

1892  

1 

7 

2 

4 

12 

2 

5ft 

1893          ..     .  .          

33 

3 

1 

64 

1894 

10 

1 

3 

7 

1 

103. 

1895  

13 

1 

21 

1 

1 

19 

1 

10& 

1896 

13 

1 

14 

9 

8 

2 

102 

1897 

13 

14 

16 

1 

145 

1898 

4 

4 

12 

12 

3 

312 

1899  

7 

91 

2 

6 

2 

32T 

NAGUABO. 


1890 

3 

2 

14 

1 

28 

8 

33: 

1891... 

1 

11 

2 

29 

1 

29 

1892             

1 

14 

3 

21 

1 

41 

1893 

3 

5 

12 

5 

24 

2 

47 

1894  

11 

1 

2 

28 

34 

1895..       

11 

5 

6 

1 

19 

11 

51 

18%  

5 

4 

24 

4 

71 

1897 

2 

22 

69 

36 

1 

71 

1898 

11 

1 

28 

9 

9 

10& 

1899  ..         

2 

4 

14 

22 

16 

122 

REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

NARANJITO. 


93 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890        

1 

5 

3 

42 

1891 

2 

2 

2 

11 

1 

35 

1892.     

3 

3 

1 

11 

1 

42 

1893 

3 

2 

1 

3 

2 

52 

1894  

1 

4 

1 

56 

1895                   

6 

11 

17 

1 

24 

1896 

2 

4 

11 

9 

22 

1897  

1 

10 

11 

14 

52 

1898 

3 

3 

8 

23 

1899  

6 

18 

5 

1 

89 

PATILLAS. 


1890 

41 

18 

5 

39 

16 

4' 

1891  

107 

2 

19 

1 

30 

1 

1< 

1892 

4 

5 

1 

2 

42 

1 

£ 

1893  

2 

1 

27 

3' 

1894  .  . 

1 

3 

33 

5i 

1895 

2 

1 

3 

19 

28 

4( 

1896.\  

1 

12 

2 

18 

1 

1{ 

1897 

7 

67 

2 

17 

g 

9' 

1898  

17 

10 

13 

1 

6J 

1899  

10 

1 

15 

2 

6( 

PENUELAS. 


1890. 

1 

3 

4 

10 

1 

30 

16 

1891  

3 

1 

9 

21 

14 

2 

1892. 

2 

8 

15 

14 

16 

1893 

2 

14 

10 

36 

18 

2 

1894  

2 

3 

3 

40 

12 

14 

1895 

1 

10 

7 

13 

8 

4 

1896  

1 

10 

17 

37 

5 

1897. 

1 

3 

8 

1 

16 

10 

" 

1898  

7 

8 

10 

2 

24 

15 

6 

1899  

28 

10 

13 

22 

11 

24 

PIEDRAS. 


1890... 

33 

11 

9 

1 

18 

1 

22 

1891  

6 

4 

1 

7 

...... 

7 

41 

1892  

1893  

2 

2 

2 

1894  

16 

3 

4 

18 

g 

1895  

2 

1 

10 

5 

1 

g 

12 

1896  

1 

3 

3 

8 

38 

1897  

1 

3 

2 

18 

1898  

1 

7 

13 

1899  

7 

15 

3 

17 

4 

50 

PONCE. 


1890... 

20 

14 

23 

38 

254 

24 

4 

1891  

3 

3 

18 

15 

22 

5 

211 

4 

5 

1892  

3 

2 

13 

3 

4 

238 

15 

4 

1893  

9 

7 

29 

2 

241 

7 

g 

1894  

12 

2 

12 

11 

43 

266 

17 

3 

1895  

7 

7 

16 

21 

...... 

239 

11 

\ 

1896  

17 

4 

22 

12 

18 

2 

219 

4 

3 

1897  

11 

9 

11 

221 

8 

4< 

1898  

3 

19 

14 

211 

17 

g 

1899  

18 

7 

14 

19 

244 

19 

3< 

94       EEPOET  OF  SUPEEIOE    BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 

QUEBRADILLAS. 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

[H 
w 

> 

£ 

* 
£ 

1 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

1 

ft 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890  

33 

2 

1 

1 

31 

1891  

1892... 

1893 

4 

4 

2 

5 

1 

1894  

7 

2 

1 

4 

g 

14 

15 

1895  

12 

1 

1 

9 

10 

13 

1896 

1 

9 

10 

2 

3 

6 

5 

1897  

2 

8 

8 

1 

27 

7 

14 

1898  

2 

3 

7 

2 

16 

8 

28 

1899 

1 

RIO  GRANDE. 


1890 

2 

1 

14 

4 

I 

1891 

8 

12 

4 

1, 

1892  

1 

1 

8 

1 

1893 

22 

2 

3 

37 

9 

2; 

1894 

1 

1 

8 

1 

1895  

11 

11 

3 

9 

1 

10 

4 

2( 

1896    

3 

8 

1 

11 

3 

] 

1897 

53 

7 

3 

K 

1898  

2 

130 

8 

4 

1( 

1899  

24 

7 

7 

l 

RIO  PIEDRAS. 


1890 

4 

1 

8 

1 

24 

38 

33 

41 

1891 

14 

1 

12 

8 

27 

1 

49 

40 

41 

1892  

5 

6 

43 

31 

45 

1893     

3 

3 

15 

10 

49 

27 

42 

1894 

43 

2 

18 

7 

2 

42 

26 

55 

1895  

136 

2 

2 

38 

11 

39 

28 

45 

1896  

4 

31 

18 

47 

29 

71 

1897 

1 

17 

51 

36 

12 

50 

4898 

1 

2 

1 

34 

46 

88 

1899  

4 

1 

47 

1 

124 

RINCON. 


1890 

43 

1 

5 

5 

4 

1891 

1 

6 

4 

1892  

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

4 

1893  

1 

3 

1 

6 

21 

3 

1894 

7 

4 

12 

23 

17 

1895 

4 

6 

8 

31 

3 

1896  

4 

9 

5 

8 

24 

2 

1897  

24 

2 

6 

5 

6 

21 

3 

1898 

5 

2 

3 

8 

17 

10 

1899 

4 

14 

10 

29 

5 

SAN.  SEBASTIAN. 


1890      

8 

4 

1 

8 

122 

1891 

1 

7 

3 

115 

1892  

3 

9 

4 

25 

6 

63 

1893 

5 

15 

17 

2 

74 

1894 



5 

17 

4 

25 

5 

100 

1895 

40 

5 

8 

2 

12 

137 

1896 

29 

1 

9 

7 

1 

21 

9 

115 

1897. 

2 

7 

8 

1 

1 

14 

8 

140 

1898                   .   .... 

i 

6 

12 

3 

2 

19 

8 

211 

1899 

7 

36 

10 

2 

287 

REPOET  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 
SABANA  GRANDE. 


95 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

1 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

i 

a 

4 

<j 

1890 

6 

4 

12 

3 

3 

25 

9 

1891 

3 

4 

13 

7 

1 

19 

g 

1892  

3 

18 

4 

24 

1 

33 

1893 

1 

19 

1 

1 

14 

1 

5 

1894  

1 

10 

11 

20 

16 

1895  

1 

11 

55 

16 

l 

15 

1896 

2 

16 

19 

16 

9 

1897  

54 

8 

18 

21 

2 

44 

1898 

4 

i 

20 

20 

19 

31 

1899  

1 

3 

16 

10 

16 

3 

46- 

SAN  GERMAN. 


1890 

272 

13 

9 

12 

21 

52 

4( 

1891  

6 

4 

3 

17 

13 

49 

2( 

1892  

8 

4 

18 

15 

51 

2^ 

1893 

1 

5 

7 

17 

20 

38 

2' 

1894  

12 

4 

14 

15 

59 

2" 

1895 

4 

4 

160 

15 

31 

2i 

1896  

8 

5 

51 

19 

19 

2( 

1897 

29 

g 

4 

32 

2 

17 

15 

3i 

1898 

38 

9 

7 

44 

17 

H 

6] 

1899  

7 

3 

12 

66 

1 

26 

16 

9( 

SAN  JUAN. 


1890... 

4 

100 

26 

33 

13 

4 

177 

32 

14 

1891  

8 

18 

15 

23 

4 

4 

196 

39 

14 

1892 

91 

18 

25 

g 

20 

167 

31 

25 

1893  

62 

20 

29 

6 

6 

177 

41 

18 

1894 

159 

79 

15 

20 

1 

4 

221 

24 

16 

1895  

81 

294 

17 

28 

4 

4 

207 

23 

20> 

1896  

3 

43 

17 

25 

g 

3 

208 

28 

27 

1897 

2 

29 

30 

86 

1 

258 

20 

41 

1898  

26 

23 

14 

219 

25 

24 

1899                   * 

18 

22 

11 

137 

29 

25 

SALINAS. 


1890 

21 

1 

3 

g 

17 

1891  

5 

13 

1 

12 

1892  

13 

4 

1893  

5 

14 

4 

g 

1894.  . 

1 

3 

g 

2 

4 

1895  

2 

3 

1 

1896  

4 

12 

1 

4 

1897  

1 

1 

5 

1898  

6 

7 

15 

1899  

2 

g 

g 

5 

12 

SANTA  ISABEL. 


1890.. 

2 

2 

4 

18 

g 

2 

1891  

g 

g 



0 

14 

9 

1892  

g 

g 

g 

9 

7 

1 

1893 

2 

2 



4 

15 

11 

4 

1894  

2 

3 

18 

5 

3 

1895  



7 

10 

5 

1896  

1 



g 

11 

7 

2 

1897  

1 

5 

17 

g 

4 

1898  

1 

1 

g 

16 

g 

3 

1899  

•  4 



3 

20 

7 

5 

EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR    BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

TOA  ALTA. 


Year. 

Smallpox. 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

Tetanus. 

Anaemia. 

1890  

3 

1 

5 

2 

2 

1 

20 

10 

24 

1891         

1 

1 

3 

15 

9 

29 

1892 

4 

4 

19 

9 

19 

1893 

1 

1 

1 

20 

9 

13 

1894  

8 

2 

22 

10 

25 

1895 

3 

10 

8 

12 

1896  

1 

15 

6 

26 

1897  

20 

18 

5 

36 

1898  

4 

2 

18 

1 

17 

6 

26 

1899 

2 

1 

3 

26 

7 

30 

TOA  BAJA. 


1890 

1 

5 

1891  

7 

1 

4 

1 

1892    .  .      

3 

5 

1 

1893 

4 

3 

1 

1894  

5 

1 

1895  

12 

1 

1 

1 

6 

3 

5 

1896 

1 

1 

9 

4 

23 

1897  

1 

2 

8 

3 

40 

1898  

2 

8 

2 

3 

9 

1899 

3 

6 

1 

3 

3 

12 

TRUJILLO  ALTO. 


1890 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

21 

29 

1891 

1 

1 

1 

16 

19 

1892 

7 

10 

40 

1893 

1 

•18 

10 

35 

1894  

3 

1 

3 

20 

4 

16 

1895 

2 

2 

1 

9 

13 

1896 

1 

8 

5 

12 

1897                , 

1 

18 

1 

7 

9 

33 

1898 

18 

2 

5 

2 

17 

1899 

•   6 

3 

8 

22 

UTUADO. 


1890 

203 

2 

109 

1 

13 

1 

196 

1891 

121 

3 

1 

28 

35 

145 

1892 

6 

17 

1 

180 

9 

54 

302 

1893  

9 

23 

1 

30 

8 

105 

292 

1894 

3 

4 

26 

15 

1 

12 

97 

403 

1895 

4 

30 

1 

93 

13 

114 

533 

1896  

1 

93 

3 

127 

12 

87 

480 

1897 

108 

81 

108 

12 

85 

560 

1898 

46 

6 

14 

2 

394 

11 

63 

992 

1899 

104 

34 

13 

1  036 

46 

89 

1,043 

VEGA  ALTA. 


1890 

18 

2 

4 

1891                        

18 

3 

8 

1892 

1 

24 

1 

15 

1893 

2 

1 

29 

2 

34 

1894 

20 

2 

32 

1895                       

1 

1 

1 

16 

32 

1896 

2 

8 

1 

18 

2 

29 

1897 

3 

6 

18 

29 

55 

1898 

1 

1 

17 

23 

48 

1899                       

1 

54 

12 

1 

62 

EEPOET  OF  SUPEBIOK   BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 

VEGA  BAJA. 


9T 


Year. 

I 

Yellow  fever. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Meningitis. 

Dysentery. 

Diphtheria. 

Tuberculosis. 

1 
H 

j 

1890 

5 

1 

8 

29 

28 

46 

1891                   

5 

2 

4 

29 

17 

9 

1892 

1 

31 

28 

10 

1893 

2 

1 

3 

17 

17 

24 

1894 

3 

3 

6 

16 

30 

20 

1895 

117 

1 

6 

22 

24 

7 

1896                     

4 

2 

1 

4 

31 

21 

19 

1897 

2 

40 

3 

20 

20 

41 

1898 

i 

5 

19 

34 

23 

48 

1899 

1 

4 

26 

27 

19 

48 

VIEQUES. 


1890. 

1 

20 

31 

18 

3 

8 

1891                 .        .  . 

20 

48 

2 

15 

1 

1 

1892 

15 

52 

23 

1 

1893 

10 

26 

9 

14 

3 

1 

1894 

4 

17 

2 

38 

4 

11 

1 

1895  

13 

1 

11 

2 

12 

2 

1896 

22 

1 

7 

22 

4 

1897  *  

13 

16 

10 

1 

7 

1898     

13 

28 

13 

1 

7 

1899 

14 

25 

17 

2 

YAUCO. 


1890... 

1 

4 

2 

99 

13 

3{ 

1891 

3 

70 

31 

3( 

1892  

4 

2 

54 

53 

5* 

1893 

6 

4 

1 

39 

39 

9- 

1894 

3 

4 

49 

4 

61 

21 

4( 

1895  

1 

17 

33 

18 

4^ 

1896 

2 

2 

72 

9 

4i 

1897  

50 

2 

7 

1 

87 

24 

5{ 

1898 

193 

5 

3 

110 

28 

19f 

1899 

20 

6 

1 

28 

83 

34 

261 

All  records  for  Yabucoa  destroyed  by  hurricane. 

The  following  is  the  aggregate  for  the  island  of  the  preceding  tables, 
with  the  per  cent  of  total  deaths  caused  by  each  disease  in  each  year: 


18 

X). 

18 

n. 

18< 

)2. 

18 

)3. 

18< 

)4. 

Disease. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 
cent  of 
total 
deaths. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 
cent  of 
total 
deaths. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 

cent  of 
total 
deaths. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 

cent  of 
total 
deaths. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 
cent  of 
total 
deaths. 

Smallpox  

2.362 

8.9 

664 

2  08 

61 

0  25 

11 

0  05 

372 

1  5 

Yellow  fever 

152 

57 

97 

41 

185 

78 

133 

6 

116 

47 

Typhoid  fever  
Meningitis  

409 
256 

1.5 
.96 

369 
227 

1.56 
96 

364 
264 

1.53 
1  11 

331 
297 

1.5 

1  34 

365 
261 

1.48 
1  05 

Dysentery 

518 

1  95 

377 

1  06 

557 

2  35 

405 

1  83 

661 

2  67 

Diphtheria  

44 

.16 

43 

.18 

44 

18 

38 

.17 

50 

.2 

Tuberculosis  

1.754 

6.6 

1  528 

6  47 

1  683 

7  1 

1  706 

7  7 

1  978 

8 

Tetanus 

986 

3  7 

898 

3  8 

1  043 

4  4 

1  012 

4  58 

991 

4 

Angemia 

3  450 

13 

2  994 

12  7 

3'  508 

14  8 

3*240 

14  2 

3  448 

13  gg 

19709—01- 


98   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


18< 

)5. 

18 

J6. 

18 

97. 

18 

38. 

18< 

». 

Disease. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 
cent  of 
total 
deaths. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 
cent  of 
total 
deaths. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 

cent  of 
total 
deaths. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 

cent  o 
total 
deaths. 

Num- 
ber of 
deaths. 

Per 
cent  of 
total 
deaths. 

Smallpox 

921 

3.6 

472 

1.9 

592 

1  94 

522 

1  56 

a  242 

0  6 

Yellow  fever  

360 

1.4 

76 

.3 

9 

.03 

23 

.07 

0 

0 

Typhoid  fever  
Meningitis  . 

347 
314 

1.35 
1.22 

479 
345 

1.94 
1.4 

405 
359 

1.32 
1.17 

416 

358 

1.24 
1  07 

346 
370 

.86 
92 

Dysentery 

969 

3.78 

867 

3  52 

1,974 

6  47 

1  913 

5  74 

3  568 

8  94 

Diphtheria 

63 

24 

43 

17 

44 

14 

67 

2 

45 

11 

Tuberculosis  

1,814 

7.08 

1,836 

7.46 

1,938 

6.35 

2,094 

6  28 

1,910 

4  8 

Tetanus 

950 

3.71 

870 

3.53 

794 

2.6 

888 

2  66 

1  084 

2  71 

Anaemia 

3  520 

13  75 

3  904 

15  87 

4  723 

15  48 

7  369 

22  13 

8  977 

2'?  5 

a  All  but  one  previous  to  June  30,  1899. 

Immediately  previous  to  the  month  of  October,  1899,  owing  to  the 
demoralization  consequent  upon  the  hurricane,  very  incomplete  reports 
were  made  to  this  board.  It  is  therefore  impossible  to  complete  the 
statistics  for  the  entire  past  year,  and  because  of  the  impracticability 
of  securing  statistics  of  different  diseases  comparison  is  not  possible. 

The  statistics  here  given  are  for  the  seven  months  ending  April  30, 
1900,  only. 

The  total  mortality  for  this  period  was  23,936,  which  is  at  the  rate 
of  42  per  1,000  per  annum.  Stillbirths  are  not  included  in  the  follow- 
ing tables  of  deaths  or  births: 


Month. 

Number 
of  deaths. 

Rate  per 
thousand 
per 
annum. 

October 

4  581 

57 

November                                                  

4,674 

58 

December 

3,967 

49 

3  297 

41 

February                                                  

2,475 

31 

March                                                                                            

2,524 

31 

April 

2  418 

30 

ZYMOTIC   MORTALITY. 

This  class  of  diseases  includes  the  ten  commonly  occurring  and  gen- 
erally recognized  infectious  diseases,  namely:  Cerebro-spinal  menin- 
gitis, typhoid  fever,  malarial  fever,  smallpox,  scarlet  fever,  measles, 
erysipelas,  whooping  cough,  diphtheria,  and  diarrheal  diseases.  No 
cases  of  yellow  fever  were  reported. 

There  were  7,479  deaths  during  the  seven  months  from  this  group, 
which  was  about  31.2  per  cent  of  the  total  mortality. 

During  each  of  the  months  there  were: 


Month. 

Average 
daily  mor- 
tality from 
zymotic 
diseases. 

Per  cent  of 
total  mor- 
tality from 
zymotic 
diseases. 

Deaths  per 
100,000  of 
population 
from 
zymotic 
diseases. 

50.4 
55.5 
43.0 
30.6 
22.6 
22.7 
20.9 

6.5 
6.96 
5.58 
3.96 
2.65 
2.9 
2.62 

163 
175 
140 
98 
66 
74 
66 

November                            

December                                          

March                                               

April                                                          

EEPORT  OF  SUPEEIOE    BOAKD  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO.       99 


The  following  shows  the  number  of  deaths  from  each  of  the  zymotic 
group  in  each  of  the  seven  months: 


Month. 

Cerebro-spinal  men- 
ingitis. 

Typhoid  fever. 

Malarial  diseases. 

Smallpox. 

Scarlet  fever. 

Measles. 

Erysipelas. 

Whooping  cough. 

Diphtheria  and 
croup. 

Diarrheal  diseases. 

H 

October 

10 

24 

200 

12 

2 

41 

10 

1,264 

1,563 

8 

18 

185 

1 

8 

2 

47 

6 

1  391 

1  666 

December                     

2 

17 

252 

5 

2 

39 

4 

1,015 

1,336 

January 

4 

15 

228 

7 

31 

7 

657 

949 

13 

190 

1 

3 

6 

14 

5 

399 

634 

March 

1 

21 

233 

2 

3 

2 

24 

6 

411 

703 

April 

1 

19 

226 

1 

20 

1 

360 

628 

Total 

29 

127 

1,514 

1 

3 

38 

15 

216 

39 

5,497 

7  479 

Per  cent  of  total  deaths  from  each  disease  of  the  zymotic  group  during  seven  months. 

Cerebro-spinal  meningitis 0. 12 

Typhoid  fever 53 

Malarial  diseases 6. 32 

Smallpox 0 

Scarlet  fever ; 01 

Measles 15 

Erysipelas 06 

Whooping  cough 9 

Diphtheria  and  croup 15 

Diarrheal  diseases ~. .- 22. 9 

The  following  shows  the  mortality  by  month  from  anemia,  con- 
sumption, and  certain  other  diseases  specially  classified: 


1 

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1  270 

174 

142 

62 

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53 

95 

119 

16 

30 

60 

791 

Is  ovember  

1,296 

207 

145 

72 

42 

59 

82 

157 

10 

13 

61 

665 

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1  153 

217 

138 

70 

32 

42 

96 

108 

16 

24 

47 

571 

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111 

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97 

116 

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133 

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62 

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106 

11 

27 

55 

430 

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130 

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72 

73 

123 

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April        

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126 

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89 

12 

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53 

415 

Total  

6,456 

1,363 

925 

418 

182 

413 

580 

818 

101 

180 

400 

3  857 

The  following  gives  per  cent  of  total  mortality  of  each  class,  and 
number  of  deaths  per  100,000  population  for  each  class: 


Disease. 

Per  cent 
of  total 
mortal- 
ity. 

Deaths 
per 
100,000  of 
popula- 
tion. 

Anaemia 

26  9 

679 

Acute  respiratory  diseases  

5.69 

143 

XUonsumption 

3  86 

97 

Puerperal  diseases 

1  74 

44 

Urinary  diseases  

.76 

19 

Circulatory  system.. 

1.72 

43 

Nervous  system 

2  42 

61 

Tetanus 

3  41 

86 

Cancer  ...           

.42 

10 

Accident  and  violence 

75 

18 

Old  age 

1  67 

42 

Unclassified  

16.11 

406 

100   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


The  following  table  gives  the  number  of  deaths  under  1  year,  num- 
ber under  5  years,  and  the  number  over  60  years,  in  each  month, 
with  per  cent  of  total  deaths: 


Months. 

Deaths 
under  1 
year. 

Total 
deaths. 

Deaths 
under  5 
years. 

Total 
deaths. 

Deaths 
over  60 
years. 

Total 
deaths. 

October             

620 

Per  cent. 
13  66 

1  692 

Per  cent. 
36  93 

439 

Per  cent. 
9  58 

November 

713 

15  25 

1  762 

37  7 

412 

8  81 

December  

571 

14.4 

1,347 

33.95 

429 

10.81 

January  

498 

15.1 

1  096 

33.24 

350 

10  6 

February 

372 

15  0 

800 

32  32 

303 

11  83 

March 

406 

16  08 

839 

33  24 

315 

12  48- 

April  

367 

15.17 

730 

30.19 

310 

13.19 

The  total  deaths  under  one  year  for  the  seven  months  was  3,547,  which  was  14.81  per  cent  of  total 
deaths. 

The  deaths  under  five  years  for  the  same  period  were  8,266,  which  was  34.53  per  cent  of  total  deaths. 

The  deaths  over  sixty  years  for  the  same  period  were  2,558,  which  was  10.68  per  cent  of  the  total 
mortality. 


EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        101 


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104       EEPOET  OF  SUPEKIOK  BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 


Consolidated  report  of  vital  statistics  of  Porto  Rico  for  October,  November,  and  December,  1899  —  Continued. 
NOVEMBER—  Continued. 

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REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        113 


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114   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


Deaths  from  important  causes. 

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REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        115 


Birth  returns  during  the  seven  months  ending  April  30,  1900,  show 
the  following  (premature  and  still  births  are  not  included): 


Month. 

Legitimate. 

Illegitimate. 

Male. 

Female. 

Male. 

Female. 

October 

429 
431 
474 
478 
540 
522 
437 

384 
413 

389 
425 
481 

477 
378 

307 
292 
336 
400 
441 
458 
359 

290 
316 
378 
367 
441 
475 
357 

November    

December                                                

February                                          

March  ,  

April           

The  number  of  stillbirths  was  746. 

The  preceding  table,  aggregated  for  the  seven  months,  results  as 
follows: 


Class. 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

Legitimate 

3,311 

2,947 

6,258 

Illegitimate  

2,593 

2,624 

5,217 

Total 

5  904 

5  571 

11  475 

There  were  2,024  marriages  reported  during  this  period. 
The  relation  of  births  to  deaths  and  of  illegitimate  to  legitimate 
births  is  herewith  shown: 


Month. 

Total 
deaths. 

Total 
births. 

Per  cent  of 
total  births 
to  total 
deaths. 

Per  cent  of 
illegiti- 
'  mate  to 
total  births. 

October  . 

4  581 

410 

30  7 

42  3 

November  

4.674 

,452 

31  0 

41  8 

December  .  .             .    . 

3  967 

577 

39  7 

45  2 

January 

3  297 

670 

50  6 

45  8 

February  

2  475 

'  '903 

76  8 

46  3 

-March 

2  524 

932 

76  5 

48  2 

April  

2,418 

1  531 

63  3 

46  7 

Total 

23  936 

11  475 

47  9 

45  4 

Reports,  especially  of  births,  have  been  very  inaccurate.  Existing 
conditions  are  responsible  for  this  inaccuracy.  This  table  shows  that 
the  births  were  but  50  per  cent  of  the  deaths,  when,  as  a  matter  of 
fact,  births,  without  doubt,  exceed  the  deaths.  The  per  cent  of  ille- 
gitimate to  total  births  is  probably  greater  than  reported. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  deaths,  births,  and  mar- 
riages in  each  municipality  for  the  years  from  1888  to  1898,  inclusive: 


Births. 

Deaths. 

Total 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

riages. 

Ad  juntas 

3  978 

3  755 

7  733 

3  237 

2  911 

6  148 

1  054 

Aguada  

2,148 

2  142 

4  290 

2  051 

1  780 

4  051 

711 

Aguadilla  

1  407 

1  366 

2  773 

2  373 

2  446 

-4  819 

939 

Aguas  Buenas 

1  234 

1  139 

2  373 

1  089 

901 

1  990 

471 

Aibonito 

1  598 

1  567 

3  165 

1*074 

1  019 

2  093 

390 

Anasco  

2  992 

2  963 

5  955 

2  743 

2*667 

5  410 

692 

Arecibo  

5,  468 

5,759 

11,227 

5,768 

5,223 

10.996 

1.243 

116       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


Town. 

Births. 

Deaths. 

Total 
mar- 
riages. 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

Male. 

Female. 

Total. 

Arroyo                                   

531 
1,283 
1,997 
1,097 
3,231 
1,928 
1,756 
1,076 
1,339 
2,594 
1,401 
2,327 
1,652 
1,661 
59 
650 
3,465 
1,066 
1,421 
760 
1,633 
2,580 
522 
1,981 
1,480 
4,274 
1,194 
1,839 
3,574 
1,010 
1,384 
473 
3,711 
2,114 
1,039 
4,272 
1,412 
1,644 
1,898 
1,575 
1,334 
2,725 
5,949 
797 
1,390 
306 
727 
1,097 
803 
3,926 
3,937 
2,640 
852 
1,138 
729 
507 
8,999 
952 
1,806 
1,025 
1,616 
5,293 

580 
1,276 
1,885 
1,059 
3,085 
1,754 
1,699 
1,005 
1,566 
2,448 
1,173 
2,211 
1,  591 
1,437 
53 
597 
3,332 
976 
1,376 
692 
1,573 
2,373 
500 
,820 
,446 
,133 
,169 
,759 
3,436 
908 
1,186 
467 
3,458 
2,018 
1,006 
4,141 
1,427 
1,494 
1,761 
1,507 
1,248 
2,506 
6,155 
784 
1,253 
278 
609 
1,852 
698 
3,755 
4,052 
2,267 
791 
1,210 
655 
489 
8,170 
915 
1,788 
896 
1,537 
5,302 

1,111 
2,559 
3,882 
2,  156 
6,316 
3,682 
3,455 
2,081 
2,905 
5,042 
2,574 
4,538 
3,243 
3,098 
112 
1,247 
6,797 
2,042 
2,  797 
1,452 
3,206 
4,953 
1,022 
3,801 
2,  926 
8,407 
2,363 
3,598 
7,010 
1,918 
2,570 
940 
7,169 
4,132 
2,  045 
8,413 
2,839 
3,138 
3,659 
3,082 
2,582 
5,231 
12,  104 
1,581 
2,643 
584 
1,336 
3,849 
1,501 
7,681 
7,989 
4,907 
1,643 
2,348 
1,384 
996 
17,  169 
1,867 
3,594 
1,921 
3,153 
10,  595 

896 
818 
1,566 
3,110 
2,731 
2,922 
1,166 
1,391 
2,  510 
2,197 
1,  121 
1,777 
1,082 
1,148 
44 
534 
3,508 
2,608 
1,366 
1,125 
1,100 
1,957 
604 
2,584 
1,680 
4,258 
1,469 
1,352 
4,128 
1,650 
1,413 
1,046 
3,927 
2,  072 
1,254 
6,986 
1,972 
1,201 
1,727 
846 
2,320 
1,674 
9,244 
945 
1,018 
1,237 
2,052 
1,998 
899 
3,999 
5,975 
2,106 
673 
1,012 
513 
616 
8,781 
812 
1,737 
1,284 
2,666 
5,486 

846 
728 
1,247 
2,870 
2,605 
2,766 
1,111 
1,  232 
2,332 
1,964 
983 
1,666 
1,073 
1,074 
35 
493 
3,180 
2,  496 
1,276 
1,034 
1,078 
1,765 
545 
2,175 
1,648 
3,979 
1,453 
1,260 
3,751 
1,543 
1.350 
912 
3,638 
1,839 
1,121 
6,363 
1,780 
1,115 
1,532 
728 
2,094 
1,604 
8,382 
961 
930 
1,146 
1,805 
1,918 
530 
3,680 
4,461 
1,945 
577 
951 
493 
536 
8,010 
818 
1,620 
1,080 
2,493 
5,166 

1,742 
1,546 
2,813 
5,980 
5,336 
5,688 
2,277 
2,623 
4,842 
4,161 
2,104 
3,443 
2,  115 
2  222 
79 
1,027 
6,688 
5,104 
2,642 
2,159 
2,178 
3,722 
1,149 
4,759 
3,328 
8,237 
2,922 
2,612 
7,879 
3,193 
2,  763 
1,958 
7,565 
3,911 
2,375 
13,349 
3,752 
2,316 
3,259 
1,574 
4,414 
3,278 
17,  626 
'  1,906 
1,948 
2,383 
3,857 
3,916 
1,429 
7,679 
10,  436 
4,051 
1,250 
1,963 
1,006 
1,152 
16,  791 
1,630 
3,357 
2,*364 
5,159 
10,  652 

139 
603 
844 
798 
721 
685 
680 
404 
448 
932 
411 
536 
326 
766 

Barranquitas 

Barros 

Bavam6n  

Cabo  Rojo                             

Caguas 

Camuv  

Carolina         

Cayey 

Ciales 

Cidra  

Comerio 

Corozal 

Culebra  

Dorado                                   .  .  . 

96 
621 
316 
343 
345 
510 
598 
140 
375 
695 
647 
240 
364 
1,454 
608 
359 
177 
978 
274 
216 
1,417 
874 
517 
466 
420 
265 
409 
1,719 
619 
408 
271 
334 
646 
144 
1,231 
1,166 
1,103 
204 
296 
92 
171 
2,692 
199 
441 
134 
22 
976 

Fajardo 

Guayama  

Guayanilla          

Gurabo 

Hatillo 

Hato  (  i-rande    

Hormigueros                         .  .  . 

Humacao 

Isabela  

Juana  Diaz 

Juncos 

Lares  

Las  Marias.                

Las  Piedras 

Loiza  

Luquillo           

Manati 

Maricao 

Maunabo        

Mavaguez 

Moca 

Morovis  

Naguabo                         ...  . 

Naranjito 

Patillas  

Pefiuelas                

Ponce 

Quebradillas  

Rincon            

Rio  Grande 

Rio  Piedras 

Sabana  Grande  

Salinas 

San  German  

San  Juan   

San  Sebastian  . 

Santa  Isabel 

Toa  Alta  

Toa  Baja                   

Trujillo  Alto 

Utuado  

Vega  Alto  

Vega  Baja 

Vieques  

Yabucoa  

Yauco 

Total  

139,  176 

133,  278 

272,  454 

152,  228 

138,  938 

291,166 

40,385 

REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        117 


CLIMATE. 

Meteorological  data  for  the  year  ending  May  31, 1900. 
[From  records  of  local  section  of  Weather  Bureau,  in  charge  of  R.  M.  Geddings,  director.] 


June. 

July 

August 

September. 

October 

November . 
December  . 


1899. 


January  . 
February 
March . . . 

April 

May 


1900. 


Average 


Barometer. 


Mean. 


30.03 
30.00 
29.95 
29.96 
29. 90 
29.93 
29. 97 


30.01 
30.06 
30.04 
29.99 
30.00 


29.98 


High- 
est. 


30.09 
30.08 
30.03 
30.06 
29.98 
30.03 
30.07 


30.07 
30.12 
30.18 
30.10 
30.09 


30.07 


Lowest. 


29.96 
29.92 
29.27 
29.72 

29.77 
29.76 
29.87 


29.91 
29.99 
29.92 
29.86 
29.92 


•29. : 


Humidity. 


Mean 
rela- 
tive. 


78.9 


Dew- 
point. 


87 


Temperature. 


Mean. 


78.5 
79.3 
79.3 
79.4 
78.3 
77.5 
73.9 


74.2 
74.1 

74.6 
77.1 
79.3 


70        77. 1 


High- 
est. 


Lowest. 


95.7 


Great- 
est 
daily 
range. 


35 


Sky. 


Clear 
days. 


June 

July 

August 

September 
October . . . 
November 
December. 


1899. 


January . . 
February 
March  ... 

April 

May..! 


1900. 


Average 


Partly 
cloudy. 


Cloudy. 


Total  pre- 
cipitation. 


7 

K) 
12 

"! 

7 

5  | 

5! 

3  I 
5 
6 
6 


Inches. 

7.07 

7.94 

16. 11 

9.74 

9.63 

10.11 

2.80 


4.47 
4.46 
1.91 
7.69 
6.99 


7.41     NE 


Wind. 


Prevailing  direc- 
tion. 


Total 
movement . 


E.andNE. 

NE 

E 

E 

NE.  and  SE . 
NE.  and  SE . 

NE  .. 


NE 
NE 
NE 
NE 
E.. 


Miles. 
4,838 
6,078 
5,743 
5, 685 
5,793 
6,841 
7,432 


8,194 
7,842 
10, 213 
9,227 
8,950 


7, 236 


NOTE.— The  barometer,  humidity,  and  total  wind  movement  records  are  for  San  Juan  only. 

DISEASES. 
SMALLPOX. 

Smallpox  has  never  been  absent  from  Porto  Rico  and  has  frequently 
been  epidemic. 

The  average  annual  number  of  deaths  for  the  past  ten  years  was  621, 
the  greatest  number,  2,362,  occurring  in  1890,  and  the  least,  11,  in 
1893.  In  1899  there  were  about  50  per  cent  less  deaths  than  in  any  of 
the  three  preceding  years.  This  decrease  was  due  to  the  general  vac- 
cination of  the  island,  which  was  concluded  June  30  of  that  year; 
860,000  vaccinations  were  performed,  under  direction  of  the  chief  sur- 
geon of  the  department,  during  the  four  months  preceding  this  date. 
All  the  deaths  reported  in  1899  from  smallpox  except  one  occurred 
prior  to  the  day  on  which  the  work  was  concluded.  At  the  rate  of 
242  for  the  first  six  months  the  annual  deaths  would  have  been  prac- 
tically the  same  as  in  the  preceding  three  years. 

During  the  seven  months  covered  by  these  statistics  but  one  death 
has  occurred  from  this  cause.  This  in  November  in  the  district  of 
Ponce. 


118       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

There  is  now  no  danger  of  an  epidemic  in  Porto  Rico,  and  sporadic 
cases  have  become  comparatively  infrequent.  There  have  been  re- 
ported monthly  to  the  board  from  one  to  five  cases  during  this  period, 
but  recovery  has  taken  place  except  in  the  one  case  above  referred  to. 

In  order  to  maintain  the  island  in  this  condition  of  immunity  the 
superior  board  of  health  secured  the  issue  of  General  Order,  170,  and 
Circular  44,  series  1899.  If  the  provisions  of  these  are  carried  out  it 
will  effectually  insure  the  country  from  an}'  future  dangerous  out- 
break of  smallpox. 

TETANUS. 

Tetanus  caused  818  deaths  during  the  seven  months,  or  3.41  percent 
of  total  mortality. 

There  has  been  very  little  variation  in  the  rate  for  the  past  ten 
years. 

The  proportion  of  tetanus  neonatorum  to  the  total  was  not  ascer- 
tained, nor  the  race  particularly  affected.  But  it  is  estimated  from 
reliable  information  and  reports  that  fully  90  per  cent  is  due  to  infec- 
tion through  the  umbilical  cords  of  new-born  infants.  This  large  pro- 
portion is  entirely  preventable,  being  due  simply  to  the  intense  igno- 
rance of  those  in  attendance  at  birth. 

Conditions  are  all  favorable  to  infection  by  the  tetanus  bacilus. 
Its  habitat  could  not  be  made  more  congenial,  and  its  facilities  for 
effecting  an  entrance  into  the  system  of  the  new  born  could  hardly  be 
improved. 

When  anyone  at  all  is  called  to  assist  it  is  an  uneducated  neighbor, 
with  possibly  a  local  reputation  as  a  "comadron." 

It  is  contrary  to  the  custom  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  island  to  engage 
a  regular  practitioner,  and  even  though  this  board  has  recently  secured 
the  publication  of  an  order  requiring  the  licensing  of-  midwives,  im- 
provement of  these  conditions  will  come  very  slowly  and  only  by  a 
universal  raising  of  the  standard  of  general  intelligence. 

The  disease  is  equalty  distributed  throughout  the  island,  and  the 
monthly  rate,  so  far  as  ascertained,  is  quite  uniform. 

ACUTE    RESPIRATORY    DISEASES   AND   TUBERCULOSIS   PULMONALIS. 

Of  the  first  class  the. great  majority  of  deaths  was  due  to  bronchitis 
and  pneumonia.  There  is  a  marked  uniformity  in  the  monthly  reported 
mortality,  although  December  and  January  sliow  a  slight  increase. 

Tuberculosis  pulmonalis  caused  925  deaths  during  this  period.  In 
monthly  reports  from  the  various  districts  many  cases  of  death  were 
returned  as  "tuberculosis."  These  have  been  listed  with  the  unclassi- 
fied, although,  considering  the  manner  in  which  the  municipal  authori- 
ties compiled  these  reports,  it  is  highly  probably  that  the  intention  of 
the  person  making  the  return  was  to  indicate  the  pulmonary  form. 
This  would  add  considerably  to  the  death  rate  from  this  cause/ 

The  per  cent  to  total  mortality  was  3.86;  estimated  on  the  above 
basis  the  annual  deaths  would  be  1,885. 

Reports  for  the  past  ten  years  show  very  little  variation  in  the  num- 
ber of  deaths  from  this  cause  until  1899,  when  there  was  quite  a 
marked  decrease,  which  seems  to  have  been  maintained  this  year. 

There  is  a  notable  monthly  uniformity  in  the  death  rate. 

The  disease  seems  to  be  quite  equally  distributed  throughout  the 
island,  although  the  municipality  of  Ponce  shows  a  comparatively 
large  rate,  and  the  mountainous  districts  are  somewhat  freer  than  the 
lowland  countries.  This  is  shown  by  the  following  table. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        119 

Arecibo,  Manati,  San  Juan,  Fajardo,  and  Aguadilla  are  taken  as 
representatives  of  the  northern  section;  Utuardo,  Ciales,  Barranquitas, 
and  Cayey  of  the  central,  and  the  others  of  the  southern: 


- 

Deaths. 

Rate  per 
thousand 
per  an- 
num. 

Northern  section: 

36 

1.6 

20 

2.5 

72 

3.7 

Fajardo                         ..     .          

9 

.8 

21 

.2 

Central: 
Utuado                                                                                   

23 

.8 

Ciales                                  

3 

.  2 

31 

3.6 

Southern: 

16 

.9 

Ponce                                  

152 

4.6 

Salinas                                                            -  •        •           

6 

1.6 

24 

1.5 

The  relation  between  the  death  rate  and  the  density  of  population  is 
quite  marked.  San  Juan.  Ponce,  Manati,  and  Arecibo,  all  being  urban 
in  comparison  with  the  others.  Cayey  does  not  follow  this  order,  hav- 
ing a  large  rate  with  a  scattered  population. 

Utuado,  Ciales,  and  Barranquitas  are  notably  poor  municipalities, 
with  populations  made  up  largely  of  isolated  families  well  scattered 
throughout  the  district.  These  show  a  low  rate.  They  are  all  included 
in  the  mountainous  districts. 

DIARRHEAL    DISEASES. 

Of  the  5,497  deaths  attributed  to  this  cause,  2,695  were  reported  as 
due  to  dysentery,  and  the  remainder  chiefly  to  acute  inflammations  of 
various  portions  of  the  upper  intestine.  This  was  11.6  per  cent  of 
total  mortality.  The  infant  mortality  from  this  cause  was  not  ascer- 
tained, but  here  as  elsewhere  these  conditions  are  by  far  the  most  promi- 
nent cause  of  children's  deaths,  and  we  may  assume  that  the  deaths  in 
this  class  were  excessive  from  the  fact  that  34. 5  per  cent  of  total  deaths 
were  of  children  under  5  years,  when  for  the  same  months  in  New 
York  the  rate  was  about  27.5  per  cent  in  1897.  The  annual  rate  would 
doubtless  be  much  greater,  as  the  statistics  for  the  summer  months  are 
not  included  in  the  above. 

It  is  observed  that  in  October  and  November  the  number  of  deaths 
were  1,264  and  1,391,  respectively,  and  that  in  April  only  360  were 
reported,  there  being  rapid  monthly  increases. 

The  large  number  of  deaths  from  this  cause  during  the  first  three  of 
these  months  may  be  attributed  indirectly  to  the  hurricane  of  last 
August,  which  made  unavailable  the  customary  food  supply.  As  a 
substitute  the  Government  distributed  large  quantities  of  beans,  rice, 
and  codfish.  It  was  a  notable  fact  that  at  first  the  natives  paid  little  or 
no  attention  to  the  cooking  of  these  articles,  particularly  the  beans. 
The  necessity  for  care  in  this  particular  has  been  impressed  upon  their 
minds  by  bitter  experience.  The  intestinal  tract,  accustomed  to  plan- 
tains, bananas,  and  an  occasional  sweet  potato,  rebelled  at  uncooked 
beans.  And  no  doubt  these  were  a  factor  in  the  excessive  mortality 
from  diarrheal  diseases  in  October,  November,  and  December. 

Nearly  50  per  cent  of  the  mortality  was  due  to  dysentery.  ' 


120       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  "dysentery"  of  these  returns  is  doubtless  "a  term  applied  to 
what  is  probably  a  group  of  diseases,  whose  principal  pathological 
feature  is  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  colon,  and 
whose  leading  symptoms  are  pain  in  the  abdomen,  tenesmus,  and  the 
passage  of  frequent  small  stools  containing  mucous  and  blood." 
(Manson.) 

.  As  in  all  tropical  countries,  the  pathological  condition  has  always 
been  more  or  less  prevalent  in  Porto  Rico,  but  reference  to  the  pre- 
ceding statistics  will  show  that  since  1893  there  has  been  a  marked 
yearly  increase  in  the  number  of  deaths  from  this  cause,  in  that  year 

1.8  per  cent  of  total  mortality  being  due  to  dysentery,  as  compared  to 

8.9  per  cent  in  1899.     There  were  nearly  twice  as  many  deaths  from 
this  cause  in  1899  as  in  1898. 

From  the  fact  that  no  death  from  liver  abscess  was  reported  during 
the  seven  months,  it  may  reasonably  be  inferred  that  very  little  or 
none  of  the  local  dysentery  is  due  to  the  amoeba  coli. 

The  distribution  of  the  disease  is  practically  that  of  anaemia.  It  find* 
its  victims  among  the  poor  of  the  inland  mountainous  districts,  and  is 
decidedly  infrequent  in  the  cities  of  San  Juan  and  Ponce.  Poverty  is 
apparently  the  chief  predisposing  cause,  and  poverty  is  and  has  been 
rife  in  the  country  districts. 

ANAEMIA. 

In  1890, 18  per  cent  of  all  deaths  was  due  to  anaemia,  since  when  there 
has  been  a  steady  and  gradual  increase,  until,  in  1899,  22.5  per  cent  of 
all  deaths  was  due  to  this  cause.  During  the  seven  months  covered 
by  these  statistics  there  were  6,456  deaths  due  to  anaemia,  making  the 
percentage  to  total  deaths  26.9.  This  is  only  about  1,000  less  than  all 
deaths  classed  under  zymotic  mortality.  This,  added  to  that  due  to 
diarrheal  diseases,  would  make  38.6  per  cent  of  all  deaths  due  to  these 
two  conditions. 

The  present  rate  of  42  per  thousand  per  annum  would  be  reduced  to 
31  if  we  could  eliminate  the  cases  of  anaemia. 

The  causes  to  which  this  condition  is  due  are  of  such  a  nature  as  to 
affect  the  poorest  people  almost  alone.  It  is  well  known  that  a  large 
majority  of  the  island's  population  is  composed  of  "peons,"  who  are 
scattered  over  every  portion  of  the  country,  living  in  unusually  poor 
hovels,  and  subsisting  on  the  merest  apology  for  food. 

This  is  the  class  in  which  this  large  mortality  occurs.  It  can  not  be 
better  shown  than  by  comparing  the  death  rates  from  anaemia  in  the 
municipalities  of  San  Juan  and  Ponce  with  that  in  the  municipalities 
of  Utuado  and  Ad  juntas. 

The  former  may  be  considered  as  inhabited  by  an  urban  population, 
while  in  the  latter  by  far  the  greatest  portion  is  composed  of  the  peon 
or  poor  class. 

Ponce  and  San  Juan  show  a  death  rate  from  anaemia  of  5  and  1  per 
thousand  per  annum,  respectively,  while  in  Utuado  and  Adjuntas  the 
rate  is  24  and  32,  respectively. 

There  seems  to  have  been  no  effort  made  by  the  resident  physicians 
to  investigate  the  causes  of  this  condition,  and  definite  knowledge  on 
this  point  is  consequently  lacking. 

Taking  into  consideration  the  fact  that  there  were  1,500  deaths  from 
malarial  diseases  during  this  period,  it  may  be  concluded  that  this  dis- 
ease is  the  cause  of  many  of  the  deaths  returned  as  anaemia.  The  pov- 
erty of  the  population,  with  the  resultant  lack  of  nutrition,  is  probably 


RE  POET  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        121 

in  itself  the  cause  of  a  small  per  cent  of  these  deaths,  but  doubtless 
this  is  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  merely  contributory  to  a  disease 
which  has  long  been  recognized  in  all  tropical  countries,  but  only  prac- 
tically demonstrated  in  Porto  Rico  since  the  American  occupation,  and 
by  an  army  surgeon.  Reference  is  made  to  ankylostomiasis. 

At  Ponce,  in  December  of  1899,  Dr.  Ashford/U.  S.  A,,  made  what 
seems  to  have  been  the  first  record  of  the  discovery  of  the  ankylostoma 
on  the  island.  His  official  report  is  herewith  attached: 

ANKYLOSTOMIASIS  IN  PORTO  RICO.1 

[•By  Lieut.  Bailey  K.  Ashford,  assistant  surgeon,  U.  S.  A.] 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  upon  twenty  cases  of  the  severe  anaemia  commonly  seen 
among  the  poor  of  this  island.  One  of  the  first  observations  made  by  professional 
men  here  is  the  prevalence  of  ansemia,  especially  among  the  poor.  This  is  at  first 
attributed  usually  to  starvation  or  poor  food,  then  to  malaria,  and  then  to  the  "cli- 
mate." Through  the  kindness  of  the  physicians  of  Ponce  I  am  able  to  state  some- 
thing as  to  the  mode  of  treatment  adopted  up  to  this  time.  Some  have  observed 
that  the  ignorant  peon  treated  himself  by  purging,  with  beneficial  effects  for  a  time 
and  a  relapse  to  previous  conditions  soon  afterwards.  Iron  and  arsenic  have  been 
prescribed  largely,  but  with  little  benefit.  Some  physicians  have  frankly  declared  it 
beyond  their  power  to  cope  with  the  disease,  which  they  regarded  as  a  pernicious, 
progressive  anaemia  of  obscure  origin.  The  stools  have  been  examined,  but  no  worms 
being  evident  this  as  a  cause  was  dismissed.  ,1  was  led  to  examine  the  faeces  for  the 
ova  of  ankylostoma  duodenale,  and  found  them  in  great  numbers.  Soon  after  a  large 
dose  of  thymol  brought  away  the  parasites,  male  and  female.  No  sooner  had  I  stated 
my  results  to  the  physicians  of  this  city  than  they  agreed  as  to  the  diagnosis  and  veri- 
fied the  parasite  and  its  eggs.  Their  testimony  is  as  follows: 

1.  This  disease  is  the  most  destructive  and  general  disease  of  Porto  Rico. 

2.  It  is  found  typically  and  very  frequently  among  the  paor  and  badly  fed. 

3.  Most  cases  are  similar. 

4.  Bad  food  and  bad  hygiene  are  responsible  for  much  of  its  power  for  evil. 

5.  Blood  foods*  have  never  exercised  more  than  a  temporary  influence  on  the  course 
of  this  disease. 

6.  Improvement  follows  purgation. 

7.  Up  to  this  time  the  existence  of  this  parasite  had  not  been  proved  on  this  island, 
or,  if  proved,  not  within  their  knowledge. 

In  studying  this  disease  I  have  taken  twenty  cases  which  I  considered  typical  of 
"Porto  Rican  ansemia,"  or  "tropical  chlorosis."  These  cases  were  selected  from  the 
provisional  field  hospital  for  indigent  and  sick  Porto  Ricans  established  after  the  flood 
of  August  10,  1899,  in  this  city.  Although  the  histories  of  these  cases  are  inclosed,  I 
should  like  to  refer  to  such  points  as  seem  to  me  interesting  and  of  frequent  occur- 
rence in  this  disease. 

1.  The  family  history. — Most  patients  give  a  history  of  deaths  in  the  family  from  a 
like  disease.     At  times  this  history  is  truly  appalling,  and  casts  a  light  on  the  extent 
of  the  infection  among  the  people.     Many  claim  the  deaths  to  have  been  due  to 
' '  malaria  "  or  "  diarrhea  "  or  "  obscure  fever. ' '     Of  course  this  matter  is  problematical, 
but  it  is  fair  to  suppose,  inasmuch  as  the  disease  is  often  marked  by  irregular  fever, 
with  intermissions,  that  their  diagnoses  may  be  questioned,  and  wre  must  recollect  that 
our  own  physicians  have  in  the  past  placed  on  malaria  responsibilities  which  do  not 
belong  to  it.     But  questions  as  to  chills  are  extremely  unsatisfactory.     I  know  there 
is  much  malaria  here  in  the  lowlands.     I  have  followed  such  cases  through  their 
course,  but  the  testimony  of  local  physicians  coincides  with  mine,  that  malarial  organ- 
isms in  the  blood  are  not  so  often  seen  as  would  be  supposed.     Chills,  then,  are  not 
so  frequent;  there  are  few  "ague  cakes;"  the  pallor  is  not  that  of  malaria,  and  the 
sclerse  are  not  icteric.     The  most  suggestive  fact  outside  of  blood  examination  is  that 
the  cases  come  from  the  mountains  and  the  valleys;  some  of  the  very  worst  cases  I 
have  seen  came  from  highly  salubrious  mountain  'districts.     Nevertheless,  I  hesitate 
to  affirm  that  many  cases  of  malarial  cachexias  do  not  exist  to  swell  the  sum  of 
ansemics  here. 

2.  The  previous  history  of  the  patient. — The  diet  is  a  powerful  factor  in  turning  the 
scale  against  the  unhappy  victim  of  ankylostomiasis.     Rightly  the  physicians  here 
quote  its  influence.     Personally,  I  have  eaten  and  slept  in  all  parts  of  this  island — not 
alone  on  the  frequented  roads,  but  in  those  rarely  visited  by  strangers — and  can  sub- 
mit my  testimony  to  that  quoted  in  support  of  this  influence.     The  relation  of  the 

1  Published  by  permission  of  the  Surgeon-General  of  the  Army. 


122       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

• 

daily  life  among  the  working  classes  has  been  confirmed  in  talking  with  many  owners 
of  sugar  and  coffee  plantations  and  their  employees.  They  rise  at  from  4  to  6  a.  rn. 
borne  take  a  little  black  coffee,  some  boiled  water  and  sugar,  some  nothing.  They 
work  till  11,  when  they  breakfast  on  about  4  ounces  of  codfish  and  a  few  pieces  of 
plantain.  They  return  to  work  at  1  and  continue  till  5  p.  m.  Dinner  is  composed  of 
rice  and  beans;  some  have  only  boiled  rice  with  lard,  and  some  boiled  rice  alone.  It 
may  be  mentioned  that  they  get  plenty  of  bad  rum  and  some  bad  wine.  This  seems 
a  slight  enough  diet,  but  the  hurricane  deprived  them  of  even  this,  and  the  sick  poor 
came  drifting  down  on  Ponce.  I  believe  it  not  probable  that  those  degraded  to  the 
level  of  people  whose  life  is  bounded  by  a  tropical  plantation,  enjoying  little  beyond 
the  cutting  of  cane  and  the  picking  of  coffee,  can  have  a  high  standard  of  personal 
cleanliness,  and,  as  a  fact,  bathing  is  not  often  practiced.  Faeces  are  distributed  over 
the  earth  wherever  the  individual  happens  to  be  while  at  work,  or  in  a  little  shack 
when  at  home,  but  directly  on  the  ground  always.  Indeed,  faeces  pollute  their  very 
houses.  Ponce  is  a  town  of  perhaps  40,000  inhabitants,  yet  it  has  no  sewerage  and  is 
in  the  lowlands  near  the  sea.  Closets  and  kitchens  are  in  conjunction  in  many 
houses.  The  water  soon  takes  up  its  quota  of  whatever  is  noxious.  Those  who  are 
clean  in  their  habits  (and  the  educated  classes  are  a  most  cleanly  people )  are  polluted 
by  the  filth  of  the  poor  and  ignorant.  The  configuration  of  this  island  is  one  of  steep 
mountains  and  deep  ravines,  with  broad  plains  near  the  sea.  Heavy  rains  wash  the 
larvae  from  each  faecal  deposit  into  these  water  courses,  and  this  muddy  water  is  prob- 
ably one  source  of  contamination.  Contaminated  earth  on  the  hands  of  laborers  is 
another;  fouled  garden  is  another.  The  larvae  have  not  yet  been  demonstrated  in 
the  water  or  mud.  The  drinking  water  of  nearly  all  well-to-do  people  is  filtered,  and 
in  this  class  we  do  not  find  so  great  a  preponderance  of  this  disease. 

3.  The  subjective  symptoms. — It  is  difficult  to  obtain  a  history  of  the  disease  from  its 
inception,  for  many  have  it  from  infancy.     Generally  it  is  possible  to  obtain  some 
such  history  as  this:  A  variable  appetite,  some  nausea  and  vomiting,  pain  in  epigas- 
trium, either  constipation  or  diarrhea  (or  these  may  alternate),  sometimes  dysentery, 
swellings  of  the  feet  and  ankles,  no  loss  of  weight,  sleeplessness,  restlessness,  tinnitus 
aurium,  giddiness,  faintness,  severe  headache,  palpitation  of  the  heart,  progressive 
debility,  little  perspiration  but  kidneys  active,  fever  sometimes  but  not  chills.     I  have 
not  been  able  to  get  a  history  of  geophagism  nor  of  intestinal  hemorrhage  described 
by  some  authors.     Sometimes  the  patients  improve  for  a  time  after  medication,  but 
not  permanently.  • 

4.  Objective  symptoms. — Pallor:  This  is  divided  into  three  classes  by  a  prominent 
physician,  but  I  can  not  see  that  it  has  reference  to  more  than  the  individual  color 
of  the  patient,  whatever  that  may  be  irrespective  of  the  disease.     The  conjunctivae, 
lips,  tongue,  gums,  nails,  and  cheeks  are  in  some  cases  perfectly  pallid,  the  mucous 
membranes  especially  being  of  a  deathly  white.     The  skin  is  generally  a  pasty  yellow, 
a  dirty  brownish-gray,  or  a  grayish-white.     Expression:  A  passive  expression  is  often 
seen,  and  its  peculiar  character  is  heightened  by  puffiness  of  the  eyes  and  bloating  of 
the  face.     (Edema:  This  is  simply  the  usual  accompaniment  of  severe  anaemia.     Prac- 
tically every  variety  is  seen,  the  chief  being,  in  order  of  importance,  oedema  of  the 
feet  and  ankles,  oedema  of  the  face,  ascites,  and  oedema  of  the  scrotum.     Hypostatic 
congestion  of  the  lungs  exists  often.     The  important  point  is  that  with  this  disease 
there  may  be  emaciation.     This  has  not  been  present  often  in  my  cases;  on  the  con- 
trary, the  patients  are  apparently  well  nourished.     Anaemic  ulcers  are  sometimes 
seen  on  the  legs  and  an  incorrect  accusation  of  syphilis  may  be  made.     Corneal  ulcers 
are  at  times  seen.     One  of  my  cases  presented  corneal  ulcers  of  both  eyes.     Respira- 
tory symptoms:  Generally  none  from  this  disease  save  in  increased  rapidity  of  breath- 
ing from  anaemia,  serous  accumulations,  or  hypostatic  congestions.     Liver:  No  con- 
stant symptom.     Spleen:  No  constant  symptom.     Heart:  These  symptoms  are  very 
aggravated;  signs  of  a  pernicious  secondary  anaemia.     Pulsating  vessels:  Both  jugu- 
lars, superficial  veins  of  the  arm,  and  vessels  about  the  root  of  the  neck  and  heart  in 
severe  cases,  with  greatly  dilated  heart;  pulsating  suprasternal  and  supraclavicular 
regions  and  diffused  pulsations  in  the  anterior  thoracic  wall.     All  kinds  of  deduc-tu  >ns 
might  be  made  by  a  careless  observer.     Haemic  murmurs  are  almost  constantly  pres- 
ent, and  are  in  many  cases  heard  in  the  veins  of  the  neck.     The  urine:  No  albumen 
is  found  and  the  specific  gravity  is  constantly  low.     The  pulse  is  weak,  rapid,  soft, 
and  compressible.     The  blood:  Attention  is  invited  to  the  accompanying  summary 
of  blood  examinations.     The  following  deductions  are  drawn: 

1.  A  severe  anaemia,  falling  as  low  as  that  of  Addison's  anaemia  in  count  of  red 
cells  in  some  cases. 

2.  A  very  low  haemoglobin  average  and  a  very  low  color  index. 

3.  A  marked  eosinophilia  in  some  cases.    Forty  per  cent  reached  in  one  case.    This 
follows  the  observation  of  Neusser. 

4.  No  leucocytosis  common  to  the  disease  itself.     Leucocytosis  recorded  is  always 
apparently  due  to  complications,  as  noted. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        12.3 

5.  Frequent  presence  of  normoblasts,  and  in  some  cases  megaloblasts,  but  never  a 
majority  of  megaloblasts. 

6.  Poikilocytosis  common.     Manson  denies  this. 

7.  Utter  unreliability  of  blood  food,s  without  removal  of  the  cause,  the  ankylos- 
toma.     This  blood  examination  was  the  first  line  of  research  taken  up,  and  as  soon 
as  anaemia  was  proved,  the  patient  was  given  blood  tonics  with  temporary  support- 
ing treatment  suited,  to  the  individual  case,  with  the  idea  that  the  patient  might  be 
carried  along  until  a  true  cause  could  be  discovered.     Of  course,  now,  all  treatment 
has  been  substituted  by  anthelminthics,  chiefly  male  fern  and  thymol,  and  the  blood 
and  heart  tonics  will  be  again  tried  when  the  eggs  have  disappeared  from  the  feces. 
I  was  led  to  examine  the  stools  carefully  from  the  high  eosinophile  count,  and  it  is 
certainly  evident  that  trichinosis  has  a  rival  for  high  counts  in  ankylostomiasis. 

The  ankylpstoma  was  found  in  all  cases  save  one,  a  case  of  tuberculosis  pure  and 
simple.  This  patient  was  chosen  to  present  a  contrast,  and  I  think  he  does.  There 
is  true  leucocytosis,  and  the  eosinophiles  are  not  much  in  evidence.  Moreover,  the 
red  cell  count  is  much  higher  than  all  the  others,  as  is  the  hemoglobin  record.  In  call- 
ing attention  to  this  infection  we  enter  upon  a  large  field.  The  histories  of  this  dis- 
ease have  been  made  up  to  show  what  percentage  of  the  people  have  the  disease  in 
certain  countries:  Twenty-five  per  cent  in  Egypt,  20  per  cent  in  Maitland,  52  per 
cent  in  Madras,  13  per  cent  in  Kioto,  Japan;  but  no  percentage  can  be  cited  as  yet 
for  this  island.  Dr.  B.  Scheube,  of  Greiz,  speaks  in  his  work  of  its  existing  in  the 
Antilles,  but  no  island  is  specified  nor  is  the  extent  of  the  disease  stated.  From  my 
own  observation,  and  from  the  opinions  of  the  resident  physicians  of  the  island,  I 
believe  it  to  be  widespread  and  destructive.  Only  twenty  cases  have  been  exam- 
ined, yet  all  save  one  have  given  me  the  ova  of  this  parasite  in  large  numbers.  As 
the  twenty  cases  were  chosen  at  random  from  hundreds  more  just  like  them  clinically, 
and  as  the  one  exception  noted  was  chosen  only  for  contrast,  I  am  convinced  that 
further  investigation  will  show  that  the  disease  has  killed  its  hundreds,  and  that  it 
is  curable  and  preventable.  The  proof  of  its  prevalence  lies  naturally  in  the  hands 
of  all  scientific  physicians  of  this  island.  I  can  not  further  judge  than  from  a  short 
experience  and  the  positive  evidence  of  nineteen  cases  submitted. 

Manson  states  that  75  per  cent  of  the  people  of  India  in  certain  localities  are 
infected.  Williams  quotes  52  per  cent  in  Madras;  Griesinger,  in  Egypt,  quotes  25 
per  cent;  B.  Scheube,  13  per  cent  in  Kioto,  Japan.  Its  geographical  distribution  is 
appalling.  Egypt  is  so  full  of  it  that  it  is  known  as  Egyptian  chlorosis  and  forms  the 
great  basis  for  rejection  of  recruits  of  the  army.  The  French  of  the  French  Antilles 
call  it  cachexie  aqueuse  and  recognize  its  full  importance;  and  literature  is  full  of  its 
ravages  in  South  America.  Thornhill  regards  it  of  greater  importance  in  Ceylon 
than  cholera. 

There  is  in  Porto  Kico  a  dense  population  in  a  small  country.  In  a  space  of  about 
100  miles  by  60  we  have  probably  over  1,000,000  people.  Of  the  working  class  it 
can  not  be  denied  that  a  large  percentage  have  anaemia,  and,  should  the  future 
verify  my  suspicion,  means  are  at  hand  to  increase  not  only  the  well-being  of  those 
now  suffering,  but  to  insure  to  the  owner  of  large  haciendas  of  coffee  and  sugar  a 
better  class  of  labor;  to  insure  to  the  army  protection  from  the  invaliding  from  anae- 
mia of  such  troops  as  are  enlisted  here;  to  insure  protection  against  the  disease  to  our 
American  troops;  to  relieve  the  State  and  the  hospitals  here  from  the  expense  of  car- 
ing for  a  large  number  of  anaemics  who  are  now  slowly  dragging  on  to  a  fatal  end. 
Perhaps  our  own  sick  reports  will  unfold  some  additional  facts.  I  mention  here  only 
such  possibilities  as  have  occurred  to  my  mind;  but  it  is  a  significant  fact  that,  though 
it  is  present  in  Germany,  Scheube  notes  that  it  is  confined  to  a  few  cases.  In  other 
words,  it  appears  to  assume  only  such  proportions  as  a  country  wrill  allow  it  to  assume. 
I  repeat,  I  have  no  certain  knowledge  of  the  proportions  it  has  assumed  here.  I 
have  been  able  only  to  call  attention  to  what  1  consider  to  be  its  extensive  preva- 
lence, and  I  can  not  quote  any  full  experience  from  treatment.  I  have  given  thymol 
in  several  cases,  with  the  always  easily  demonstrated  presence  of  the  parasite.  From 
the  exceeding  kindness  and  the  scientific  spirit  shown  by  the  local  doctors,  I  can  not 
doubt  that  it  will  be  but  a  short  time  before  measure's  will  be  taken,  if  there  is 
sufficient  extent  of  the  disease  found,  to  alleviate  the  conditions.  I  therefore  respect- 
fully submit  with  this  report  a  photograph  of  my  cases,  their  detailed  histories, 
specimens  of  the  eggs  and  parasites  in  4  per  cent  formalin  solution,  and  various 
preparations  of  stained  and  unstained  blood.1  I  shall  not  lengthen  this  paper  by  any 
description  of  a  parasite  so  well  known  and  so  fully  described  by  the  professor  of 
helminthology  at  the  Army  Medical  School,  nor  shall  I  make  further  remarks  on  the 
history  of  the  disease,  its  evident  prophylaxis  and  simple  cure,  until  I  can  call  to  my 
aid  a  more  extensive  familiarity  with  it. 

1  These  were  sent  to  the  Army  Medical  Museum. 


124       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


Schedule  of  blood  examinations. 


|  • 

i 

£ 

1  ll 

s 

sf, 

>> 

5 

<•*        3 
0        « 

g 

o> 

a~  o  'S   . 
38°= 

fi 

M 

l| 

Date. 

1 

c 

°  ^ 

ob 

O  « 

^ 

ii 

-^  £ 

Remarks. 

| 

1 

'I 
i 

1 
a> 

Iff 

f 

I 

P 

s 

O 

W 

I 

1^1      1 

I 

I 

1 

Nov.    4 

1 

1,530,116 

20 

6,800 

65. 

21 

9 

5 

26 

13 

Poikilocytosis.   Polychromatophilia; 
many  microcytes  and  macrocytes. 

Treatment:  Digitalis    and    pepto- 

mangan.     Recount,  November  23, 

1899:  Hemoglobin,  16  per  cent;  red 

cells  1,880,000. 

Nov.    3 

2 

697,  776 

20 

7,960 

59 

17 

15 

9 

144 

46 

Poikilocytosis.   Polychromatophilia; 

many  macrocytes  and  microcytes. 

Treatment:  Pil.     ferri,     quin.     et 

strvch.  and  pil.  arsenic.     Recount, 

November  23,  1899:    Hemoglobin, 

23.5  per  cent;  reds,  2,664,440. 

Nov.    4 

3 

1,  533,  112 

22 

2,000 

64 

22 

8 

6 

8    .... 

Poikilocytosis.   No  rouleaux.   Treat- 

ment: Digitalis  and  pepto-mangan. 

Recount,     November    23,     1899: 

Hemoglobin,  23    per   cent;    reds, 

1,973,328. 

Nov.     5 

4 

1,200,000 

15 

4,200     64 

23.4 

6 

6.6 

109       8 

Poikilocytosis.    Polychromatophilia. 
Treatment:  Digitalis,  syrup,  ferri 

iodidi.     Recount,    November   23, 

1899:    Hemoglobin,  17.5  per  cent: 

reds,  801,104. 

Nov.    6 

5 

1,484,440 

10 

6,000     64 

24 

8 

4 

12    .... 

Poikilocytosis.     Slight  tendency  to 

rouleaux     formation;  macrocytes 

and  microcytes:  latter  predominate 

over  former.    Recount,  November 

23,  1899:  Hemoglobin,  14  per  cent; 

reds,  687,776. 

Do.... 

6 

2,  193,  328     23 

8,800 

65     26 

8 

14 

123     35 

Poikilocytosis.    No  tendency  to  rou- 
leaux formation.    Treatment:  Dig- 

italis, pil.  ferri.  qnin.  et  strych. 

Nov.     7 

7 

1,633,328 

17 

5,600 

60 

23 

5 

12 

11 

Poikilocytosis.  Many  macrocytes  and 
microcytes;   slight    rouleaux   for- 

mation;  marked    chromatophilia. 

' 

Treatment:    Digitalis,    liq.  potas. 

arsenitis  in  increasing  doses  to  gtt. 

to  5  t.  i.  d. 

Do.... 

8 

2,  064,  664 

23 

4,800 

74 

17 

6 

3 

28 

Poikilocytosis.    Rouleaux  formation 

good.  "Treatment:  Pil.  ferri.  quin. 

et  strvch.  and  digitalis.    Recount, 

November   23,  1899;   Hemoglobin, 

31  per  cent;  reds,  3,084,440. 

Do.... 

9 

1,271,104  1  14 

7,800 

60     17 

6 

17 

30 

15     Has  elephantiasis  Arabum,  but  I  can 

not  identify  the  filaria  as  yet.    Mi- 

crocytes predominate  over  macro- 

cytes.   Good  rouleaux  formation. 

Treatment:    Pepto-mangan.     Re- 

count, November  23,  1899:   Hemo- 

globin, 24  per  cent;  reds,  2,520,000. 

Do.... 

10 

1,600,000     17 

1,500 

72  !  20 

4 

4 

6 

Poikilocvtosis.    Recount.  November 

23,1899:  Hemoglobin,  13  percent: 

reds,  668,888. 

Nov,    8 

11 

1,800,000     25 

4,600 

69 

22 

7 

2 

9 

....    Poikilocytosis. 

Do.... 

12 

2,  266,  656     30 

7,680 

52 

26 

12 

10 

Nov.    9 

13 

1,268,888     20 

6,800 

C,:;      17 

7 

13 



Poikilocytosis.    Rouleaux  formation 

good. 

Do.... 

14 

2,  440,  000     25 

11,000 

50 

10 

9 

31 



Poikilocytosis.     Rouleaux  formation 

slight;  has  abscess  of  liver. 

Do... 

15 

2,  353,  328 

17 

12,700 

73 

17 

4 

6 

Poikilocvtosis.     Rouleaux. 

Do.... 

16 

2,  934,  444 

5,  200 

72 

20 

5 

3 

10 

10     Tertian  malaria  parasites  found.  Ro- 

leaux  good. 

Nov.  10 

17 

2,140,000 

232 

18,000 

40 

12 

8 

40 

36 

I'oikilocytosis.     Rouleaux  good.      I 
believe  this  man  to  have  been  suf- 

fering from  pneumonia  at  time  of 
examination,  although  the  differ- 

ential seems  strange. 

Nov.  20 

18 

3,  524,  440 

cr: 

14,800 

88 

9 

3 

I 

Onlv  case  not  presenting   ankvlos- 

toines.      Has  tuberculosis. 

Nov.  12 

19 

Unknown 

30 

9,000 

60     16 

10 

10 

125 

Poikilocvtosis.     Rouleaux  formation 

jrood. 

Nov.  20 

20 

1,560,000 

16 

2,400 

72      10 

5 

13 

REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.       125 

REPORT   OF    FIRST    LIEUT.  F.  F.  RUSSELL,  ASSISTANT   SURGEON,   U.   S.  A.,  ON  EXAMINATION  OF 
INMATES   OF   BOYS'    CHARITY    SCHOOL. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  July  14,  1900. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  preliminary  report  of  some  investiga- 
tions made  by  me  as  to  the  variety  and  prevalence  of  the  intestinal  parasites  infecting 
the  natives  of  this  island. 

Through  your  kind  interest  in  the  subject  I  was  permitted  to  examine  boys  in  the 
Insular  Orphan  Asylum,  located  near  this  city.  This  institution  presented  many 
advantages  for  carrying  out  the  investigation,  principally  because  the  boys  were  well 
controlled,  and  because  of  the  intelligent  assistance  which  I  received  from  the  people 
in  charge  in  the  trying  business  of  collecting  and  marking  of  specimens  of  faeces. 

I  have  included  in  these  100  examinations  only  healthy  boys,  although  there  were 
a  number  of  examinations  made  of  patients  in  the  hospital  at  the  same  time,  because 
I  wished,  in  this  series  of  cases,  to  arrive  at  some  idea  as  to  the  extent  of  the  preva- 
lence of  intestinal  parasites  among  the  healthy  on  the  island. 

These  conditions  are  very  well  fulfilled  by  the  boys  in  one  way,  and  yet  badly  in 
another.  While  they,  coming  as  they  do  from  all  parts  of  the  island,  represent 
well  the  conditions  existing  on  the  island  as  a  whole,  yet  they  are  so  much  better 
housed,  so  much  better  fed  and  cared  for  in  a  way  that  is  only  possible  in  such  an 
institution,  that  they  do  not  represent  the  deplorable  conditions  that  are  found  in 
the  country  parts  of  the  island,  where  there  exists  no  such  thing  as  sanitation. 
Therefore  the  results,  surprising  as  they  are,  in  my  opinion  (which  has  been  formed 
during  a  stay  of  a  year  and  a  half  on  the  island),  fall  short  of  showing  the  universality 
of  infection  by  intestinal  parasites  among  the  peasant  class. 

I  found  by  examining  100  healthy  boys,  that  the  ankylostomum  duodenale  was 
present  in  54  per  cent,  trichocephalus  in  93  per  cent,  ascaris  lumbricoides  in  10  per 
cent,  strongyloides  intestinales  (rhabdonema  intestinale)  in  5. per  cent,  and  in  one 
case  I  found  the  balantidium  coli. 

The  parasites,  other  than  the  ankylostomum  duodenale,  present  very  little  that 
is  of  special  interest;  even  the  balantidium  coli  was  found  in  company  with  the 
ankylostomum  and  trichocephali  dispar,  and  although  it  was  present  in  enormous 
numbers,  the  boy  had  only  a  moderate  diarrhea,  and  was  not  considered  sick 
enough  to  be  placed  in  the  hospital. 

But  as  to  the  ankylostomum  duodenale,  the  case  is  quite  different  and  its 
importance  can  scarcely  be  overestimated. 

I  think  that  the  work  of  Lieutenant  Ashford,  assistant  surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  has 
established  the  fact  that  the  anaemia  of  this  island  is  the  same  disease  as  has  been 
described  by  Griesinger  as  "Egyptian  chlorosis"  and  later  by  Wucherer  and  other 
observers,  as  "tunnel  angemia,"  and  "bricklayer's  anaemia,"  etc.  Its  importance 
seems  scarcely  to  be  appreciated  by  the  natives  of  the  island. 

That  the  victims  are  more  seriously  affected  by  all  intercurrent  diseases,  hardships, 
and  privations  is  a  very  reasonable  supposition, 'when  one  considers  the  never-ending 
abstracting  of  blood  in  larger  or  smaller  quantities,  caused  by  the  parasites  in  their 
victims,  with  the  consequent  loss  of  resisting  power  to  any  form  of  disease.  To 
establish  this  point,  I  have  examined  the  stools  of  native  soldiers,  sick  in  hospital 
from  all  causes,  with  rather  striking  confirmation  of  the  supposition. 

Among  19  native  soldiers  suffering  from  every  variety  of  disease,  I  found  that  84 
per  cent  were  infected,  whereas  only  54  per  cent  of  the  healthy  were  harboring  the 
parasites,  showing  how  much  more  liable  to  other  forms  of  sickness  these  people  are 
than  those  who  are  uninfected. 

Among  the  Americans  on  the  island  I  have  found  only  one  case  of  infection  by  the 
ankylostomum.  In  his  case  the  parasite  was  present  in  enormous  numbers,  and 
the  resulting  anaemia  was  very  severe.  The  administration  of  thymol  removed  the 
parasite  promptly,  and  the  man  is,  at  present,  again  in  perfect  health,  with  normal 
blood  count  and  full  haemoglobin  percentage. 

The  ascaris  lumbricoides  I  have  found  frequently  among  the  American  troops,  and 
have  no  doubt  that  it  wras  acquired  here. 

The  balantidium  minutum  (Jakoby  and  Schandiun)  I  have  found  twice  in  cases  of 
severe  diarrhea  occurring  in  Americans,  both  cases  differing  in  their  clinical  behavior 
from  the  ordinary  chronic  diarrhea;  and  it  seems  to  me,  in  these  two  cases,  at  least, 
that  the  balantidium  minutum  stood  in  a  causal  relation  to  the  disease. 

A  word  may  be  added  as  to  the  examination  of  feces  for  the  ankylostomum.  A 
small  bit  of  the  solid  feces  is  mixed  with  a  drop  or  two  of  water  on  a  glass  slide  until 
the  mixture  is  perfectly  fluid.  It  is  then  examined,  with  or  without  a  cover  glass, 
under  a  low  power  of  the  microscope — 60  to  190  diameters — when  the  ova  are  readily 
made  out. 


126   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  process  is  so  simple  that  anyone,  whether  he  has  any  training  in  the  use  of 
the  microscope  or  not,  will  experience  no  difficulty  in  making  a  diagnosis  after  a 
little  practice. 

Very  respectfully,  F.  F.  RUSSELL, 

First  Lieutenant,  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. 
The  CHIEF  SURGEON, 

Headquarters  Department  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P,  j?. 

These  two  reports  sufficiently  indicate  the  deplorable  conditions 
existent  throughout  the  interior,  conditions  which  are  so  obviously 
dependent  upon  poverty  and  ignorance  and  which  bear  such  an  impor- 
tant relation  to  the  high  mortality  rate.  It  is  undoubtedly  a  fact  that 
some  deaths  are  returned  due  to  anaemia  without  sufficient  knowledge 
of  the  history  of  the  case  to  make  a  more  accurate  diagnosis.  Never- 
theless, when  modern  economic  conditions  prevail  in  Porto  Rico,  the 
death  rate  will  be  reduced  just  so  far  as  it  is  now  increased  by  the 
deaths  from  anaemia. 

MALARIAL    DISEASES. 

In  this  class  1,514  deaths  were  reported,  being  6.32  per  cent  of  total 
deaths.  They  were  quite  regularly  distributed  through  the  seven 
months  and  are  fairly  equally  distributed  throughout  the  island,  except 
in  the  case  of  Juana  Diaz,  where  27  per  cent  of  total  deaths  were 
reported  as  due  to  this  cause,  and  Maunabo,  where  the  per  cent  was 
45.  Toa  Alta  showed  35,  and  Arroyo  24.  Anasco,  Coamo,  and 
Gruyanilla  exhibited  also  an  abnormally  high  rate,  being  15,  16,  and 
21  per  cent  of  total  deaths,  respectively. 

General  investigations  as  to  the  relative  frequency  of  the  various 
malarial  organisms  have  not  been  made.  From '  symptomatic  diagno- 
sis it  is  estimated  that  but  a  very  small  per  cent  of  the  cases  are  due 
to  the  aestivo-autumnal  organism.  This  was  confirmed  by  the  exam- 
inations of  the  blood  of  a  series  of  cases  admitted  to  the  military  hos- 
pital in  San  Juan.  In  these  cases  the  discovery  of  the  organism  of 
pernicious  malaria  was  a  rare  occurrence,  the  large  majority  of  exam- 
inations revealing  either  the  quartan  or  tertian  plasmodium. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  these  statistics  are  possibly  affected 
by  the  fact,  noted  above,  that  many  deaths  occur  without  medical 
attention.  As  with  anaemia,  it  is  a  simple  and  satisfactory  diagnosis 
with  which  to  fill  in  a  certificate  when  definite  information  is  impossi- 
ble to  obtain. 

VENEREAL    DISEASES. 

The  attention  of  the  board  was  early  called  to  the  prevalence  of 
venereal  disease  in  Porto  Rico.  The  necessity  for  action  with  view  to 
controlling  these  diseases  and  protecting  the  United  States  soldiers, 
the  people  in  the  United  States,  as  well  as  the  civil  population  here, 
was  appreciated.  This  necessity  was  made  more  apparent  by  the  fol- 
lowing letter  from  the  chief  surgeon  to  the  adjutant-general  of  the 
department,  which  was  referred  to  the  superior  board  of  health  with 
directions  to  devise  some  means  for  controlling  prostitution  in  garri- 
soned towns.  It  was  referred  to  a  special  committee,  whose  report  to 
the  board  was  adopted.  (See  p.  46.) 

SEPTEMBER  21,  1899. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  invite  your  attention  to  the  extraordinary  prevalence  of 
venereal  diseases  in  this  command,  which  seriously  hampers  its  effectiveness, 
requires  the  discharge  on  surgeon's  certificate  of  a  considerable  number,  entails  life- 
long invalidism  on  many,  and  threatens  our  people  at  home  through  those  returning 
from  here. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        127 

It  has  been  found  by  actual  examination  that  15  per  cent  of  the  Porto  Rican  bat- 
talion are  suffering  from  venereal  diseases,  whereas  the  last  weekly  report  of  that  com- 
mand shows  a  record  of  nonefficiency  from  this  cause  of  only  one-half  of  1  per  cent. 
Undoubtedly  this  condition  obtains  throughout  the  command,  and  the  reported  cases 
of  venereal  diseases  are  probably  a  small  proportion  of  the  actual  number  existing. 

The  last  consolidated  weekly  report  shows  a  noneffectiveness  from  venereal  diseases 
of  2  per  cent  for  the  entire  force;  whereas,  if  we  accept  the  percentage  as  shown  by 
actual  examination  in  the  Porto  Rican  battalion,  it  will  be  seen  that  there  are  in 
this  command  to-day  450  cases  of  venereal  disease,  390  of  which  do  not  appear  on 
the  records. 

Certainly  every  effort  should  be  made  to  remedy  this  state  of  affairs,  if  it  actually 
exists,  and  the  attention  of  post  and  company  commanders  and  surgeons  should 
be  called  to  the  necessity  for  this.  To  meet  the  conditions,  I  respectfully 
recommend — 

First.  That  every  enlisted  unmarried  man  in  the  command  be  examined  by  the 
surgeon  each  weekend,  if  necessary,  isolated. 

Second.  That  in  every  garrison  town  prostitutes  be  licensed,  regularly  examined, 
and,  if  necessary,  isolated. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  Chief  Surgeon. 

The  ADJUTANT-GENERAL, 

Department  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

In  1893  a  marked  increase  in  disability  among  the  Spanish  troops 
stationed  at  San  Juan,  attributable  to  venereal  diseases,  prompted  the 
civico-military  authorities  there  to  inaugurate  a  system  of  registration 
and  examination  of  prostitutes,  with  isolation  when  required.  This 
was  instituted  about  the  end  of  1894,  and  is  at  present  in  force.  No 
other  community  on  the  island  has  laws  of  this  nature. 

The  admissions  from  this  cause  to  sick  report  per  1,000  in  the 
Spanish  army  in  Porto  Rico  from  1889  were  as  follows: 

1889..                                                   .  395  |  1894..                                                   .  256 

1890 259  I  1895 520 

1891 333  i  1896 411 

1892 291     1897 401 

1893 415  !  1898 566 

Records  of  the  United  States  Army  show  that  during  the  first  six 
months  of  1899  the  rate  of  admission  per  thousand  per  annum  was 
467.80.  In  1897  the  rate  of  admission  from  these  causes  in  the  United 
States  Army,  stationed  entirely  at  home,  was  84.59.  This  dispropor- 
tion is  also  evident  in  the  armies  of  European  countries  when  com- 
parison is  made  between  those  at  home  and  those  stationed  among  an 
alien  population. 

For  the  three  years  ending  1892  the  ratio  of  admission  in  the  British 
arm}^  averaged  208.7  at  home  and  438.1  in  India.  In  1891  the  ratio 
in  India  was  522.8  per  thousand  per  annum. 

The  condition  in  the  Porto  Rican  battalion,  as  stated  in  the  above 
letter,  certainly  indicates  the  prevalence  of  these  diseases  in  San  Juan, 
where  a  system  of  regulation  of  prostitution  has  prevailed  for  a  num- 
ber of  3^ears. 

There  are  111  registered  prostitutes  in  the  capital,  living  in  20  regis- 
tered houses.  These  prostitutes  are  examined  twice  weekly,  and  those 
found  suffering  from  venereal  diseases  isolated  in  a  lock  hospital.  The 
regulations  governing  this  are  those  promulgated  in  1894  by  the  Span- 
ish Government.  They  are  both  inadequate  and  partially  enforced. 
A  prominent  practitioner  of  San  Juan,  the  only  active  member  of  the 
local  board  of  health,  states  that  there  are  no  less  than  400  prosti- 
tutes unregistered,  and  fully  50  unregistered  houses  of  prostitution. 


128       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

There  is  a  daily  average  of   25  inmates   at  the  lock  hospital.     The 
report  for  the  month  of  May  was  as  follows: 

Remaining  from  April 18 

Admissions 42 


60 

Cured  and  discharged 33 

Remaining 27 

60 

Diagnoses: 

Chancroid 25 

Chancre 4 

Gonorrhea 24 

Secondary  syphilis 6 

Venereal  warts 1 

60 

This  report  is  practically  a  repetition  of  those  for  preceding  months. 
It  shows  that  42  admissions  were  made  during  May.  This  is  38  per 
cent  of  the  registered  prostitutes.  It  is  not  too  much  to  suppose  that 
fully  as  great  a  per  cent  exists  among  those  not  licensed. 

In  fact  it  is  more  than  probable  that  a  larger  number  would  be  found, 
inasmuch  as  the  very  lowest  classes,  washerwomen,  servants,  etc., 
practice  prostitution  for  the  purpose  of  adding  a  mere  pittance  to 
their  income.  Upon  the  above  estimate  of  400  unrecorded  prostitutes, 
there  would  be  in  any  one  month  152  new  cases  of  venereal  diseases 
among  those  not  under  the  supervision  of  the  officials.  And  in  fact 
the  actual  number  of  women  so  diseased  would  be  largely  augmented, 
for  it  is  probable  that  but  few  obtain  any  medical  treatment. 

This  is  borne  out  by  the  experience  of  medical  men  in  private  prac- 
tice. When  the  average  pl^sician  sees  daily  in  the  neighborhood  of 
ten  cases  of  venereal  diseases,  chiefly  gonorrhea,  it  may  be  safely 
assumed  that  the  condition  is  rampant. 

It  is  not  difficult  from  the  above  to  account  for  the  fact  that  the 
admissions  increased  in  the  Spanish  army  after  the  adoption  of  the 
regulations.  It  is  probable  that  the  regulations  simply  did  not  affect 
the  condition. 

Regulations,  unless  most  thorough  in  their  provisions  and  most 
rigorously  executed,  are  worse  than  useless.  They  tend  to  propagate 
those  conditions  which  they  were  designed  to  control.  On  the  other 
hand,  their  value  when  adequate  is  doubtless  great. 

The  ratio  of  admission  in  the  European  armies  in  1892  varied  from 
27.9  in  Germany  to  69  in  Italy,  while  in  the  United  States  the  ratio 
was  72.46.  In  all  the  former  some  special  regulations  are  in  force  for 
preventing  the  spread  of  these  diseases,  generally  including  the  regis- 
tration and  examination  of  prostitutes. 

Lock  hospitals  began  to  be  opened  in  India  in  1865.  The  system 
was  extended  up  to  1872  and  remained  in  force  until  1884,  when  the 
hospitals  began  to  be  abolished,  and  were  entirely  closed  in  1888.  In 
1891  and  1892  cantonment  hospitals  were  in  operation,  by  which  means 
regulation  of  prostitutes  was  again  carried  out,  but  this  system  was  so 
altered  in  1898  as  to  become  ineffective  in  this  direction. 

The  following  extracts  from  a  report  of  a  departmental  committee 


A   LEPER   FROM    PONCE. 


REPOET  OF  SUPEE1OR  BOAED  OF  HF  ^TH  OF  POETO  EICO.   129 

on  the  prevalence  of  venereal  diseases  among  the  British  troops  in 
India  indicates  the  effects  of  these  changes  on  the  ratio  of  admission; 

From  1861  there  was  a  steady  and  marked  decline  in  the  admission  rate  for  vene- 
real diseases  until  1867,  when  it  reached  the  lowest  figure  (160.2  per  thousand)  recorded 
in  the  period  under  review.  From  1867  it  moved  irregularly,  but  with  an  upward 
tendency  until  1873  (181.7  per  thousand),  afterwards  more  rapidly  upward  until 
1884  (293.5  per  thousand).  Between  1867  and  1884,  however,  secondary  syphilis,  the 
worst  form  of  venereal  disease,  showed  practically  no  increase.  The  admission  rate 
for  this,  which  was  23.7  per  thousand  in  1867  and  24.4  in  1884,  fluctuated  in  the 
interval  between  a  maximum  of  25.4  in  1868  and  a  minimum  of  20.4  in  1873,  with  a 
mean  of  23.5  for  the  whole  period.  In  the  years  1885  and  1886  there  was  a  general 
and  serious  increase  in  all  forms  of  venereal  disease,  followed  by  some  diminution  in 
1887.  From  the  year  1888  to  1890  the  rise  was  alarming,  the  admission  rate  in  1890 
exceeding  50  per  cent  of  the  strength. 

The  great  increase  in  the  prevalence  of  venereal  disease  which,  as  we  have  seen, 
occurred  in  the  years  1888  to  1890  was  followed  in  1891  by  the  most  rapid  decline  in 
the  admission  rate  shown  in  any  year  of  the  series.  It  rose  somewhat  in  1892,  and 
in  the  three  succeeding  years  the  rise  was  rapid  and  continuous,  reaching  in  1895  the 
highest  figure  yet  recorded,  522.3  per  thousand  strength,  or  536.8  per  thousand  of 
troops  in  cantonments  only,  i.  e.,  excluding  troops  on  the  field  service  in  Chitral  and 
Waziristan.  The  prevalence  of  the  disease  varies  greatly  in  different  stations  and  at 
different  times,  and  it  is  found  to  decrease  materially  when,  owing  to  outbreaks  of 
smallpox  or  cholera,  bazars  or  cities  in  the  neighborhood  of  cantonments  are  tem- 
porarily placed  out  of  bounds. 

Far  the  most  serious  feature  in  recent  years  has  been  the  disproportionately  great 
increase  in  the  amount  of  primary  and  secondary  syphilis.  This  latter,  as  we  have 
seen,  showed  no  very  serious  increase  from  the  years  of  its  lowest  prevalence  down 
to  1884.  In  the  two  following  years  it  increased  rapidly,  but  it  diminished  in  1887. 
From  1887  onward  we  are  able  to  show  clearly  the  changes  which  have  taken  place 
in  the  prevalence  of  syphilis,  both  primary  and  secondary,  with  the  following  truly 
alarming  results:  In  the  nine  years,  1887-1895,  while  nonsyphilitic  venereal  affections 
have  remained  almost  stationary  in  amount,  the  admission  rate  for  primary  syphilis 
has  risen  180  percent  (i.  e.,  from  75.5  to  174.1  cases  per  thousand  men),  and  that  for 
secondary  syphilis  no  less  than  188  per  cent  (i.  e.,  from  29.4  to  84.9  cases  per  one 
thousand  men).  The  rise  was  not  indeed  continuous,  a  temporary  but  marked 
improvement  being  shown  in  1891  and  1892,  but  the  latest  figures  are  the  worst  yet 
recorded. 

Secondary  syphilis  was  more  than  four  times  as  prevalent  in  1895  as  it  was  in  1873. 

The  board  earnestly  recommends  that  steps  be  taken  at  once  to 
institute  regulations  for  the  control  of  prostitution,  which  shall  be 
most  thorough.  This  with  a  view  to  lessening  venereal  diseases  in 
Porto  Rico. 

LEPERS. 

The  superior  board  of  health  during  the  first  month  of  its  organiza- 
tion controlled  the  leper  asylum,  and  at  this  time  took  steps  to  place 
the  institution  on  a  modern  basis,  primarily  by  finding  a  suitable  place 
for  the  establishment  of  a  colony.  (See  committee  report,  p.  39.)  The 
board  of  charities  assumed  charge  of  the  lepers  on  its  organization, 
and  nothing  further  was  done  in  this  direction  by  the  board. 

It  is  estimated  that  there  are  not  more  than  75  lepers  in  Porto  Rico, 
17  of  which  are  at  present  isolated  at  San  Juan.  From  the  fact  that 
this  disease  has  existed  here  indefinitely,  with  no  energetic  measures 
taken  for  its  care,  it  may  be  reasonably  supposed  that  local  conditions 
are  not  altogether  favorable  for  its  spread. 

It  has  been  practically  impossible  to  secure  reliable  information  as 
to  the  actual  number  and  classification  of  the  lepers.  From  unprofes- 
sional sources  400  cases  were  reported,  but  this  was  palpably  wrong, 
and  inquiry  revealed  the  fact  that  practically  all  these  cases  were  sim- 
19709—01 9 


130   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

ply  elephantiasis,  which  is  extremely  prevalent  here.  So  many  of  the 
natives  never  see  a  physician,  even  when  ill,  that  when  a  case  of  lep- 
rosy is  occasionally  brought  to  light  it  is  in  all  probability  merely  by 
chance.  These  cases  seldom  seek  treatment,  and  undoubtedly  inter- 
current  disease  ends  the  existence  of  some  in  the  hills,  who  in  more 
accessible  countries  would  have  long  before  been  isolated  as  lepers. 

It  is  generally  agreed  by  the  resident  practitioners  that  the  tubercu- 
lous form  is  much  more  frequent  here  than  the  anaesthetic. 

Although  so  passive  in  Porto  Rico  in  the  past,  experience  has  shown 
that  unless  stringent  measures  are  taken  where  leprosy  is  once  im- 
planted there  will  be  a  progressive  increase  in  the  number  of  its 
victims.  While  the  number  is  as  yet  comparatively  small,  every  pos- 
sible step  should  be  taken  to  discover  and  segregate  each  leper  now  on 
the  island,  and  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  the  first  necessary 
action  is  the  establishment  of  a  properly  equipped  leper  colony. 

There  is  no  apparent  reason  why  leprosy  should  not  be  stamped  out 
of  Porto  Rico  as  successfully  as  has  been  done  in  European  countries, 
where  it  was  at  one  time  very  prevalent,  but  is  now  rarely  seen. 

BLIND. 

In  October  of  last  year  the  alcaldes  were  asked  to  report  to  the  board 
the  number  of  blind  persons  in  their  respective  districts.  These  reports 
made  an  aggregate  of  1,200.  It  is  believed  that  the  total  would  reach 
the  large  number  of  2,000.  This  is  at  the  rate  of  about  1  for  every 
480  of  the  inhabitants.  This  large  proportion  can  be  better  appreciated 
when  comparison  is  made  with  the  statistics  of  one  of  our  own  States. 
Pennsylvania,  for  example,  with  a  population  of  about  6,000,000, 
reports  but  325  blind  people,  or  about  1  to  every  18,500  of  its 
population. 

The  existing  conditions  that  account  for  this  unfortunate  state  of 
afi'airs  may  be  expressed  by  the  words  "  ignorance  and  poverty." 
Ignorance  permits  the  disease  which  is  responsible  in  the  greater  num- 
ber of  cases;  that  is,  gonorrheal  ophthalmia,  and  poverty  prevents  its 
proper  care  when  once  contracted. 

The  opinions  of  thirty  of  the  most  prominent  Porto  Rican  practi- 
tioners on  the  principal  causes  of  blindness  here  have  been  obtained. 
The  consensus  of  these  is  that  gonorrheal  ophthalmia,  most  frequently 
neonatorum,  is  the  most  prominent  agent  in  the  causation  of  the 
blindness. 

Loss  of  sight  as  a  sequela  of  smallpox  is  considered  by  many  to 
have  been  an  extremely  frequent  occurrence,  and  cataract  (in  many 
cases  operable)  is  reported  as  very  prevalent.  Glaucoma  and  syphilis 
are  not  considered  frequent  causes. 

Almost  without  exception,  the  physicians  laid  great  stress  upon  the 
fact  that  the  total  lack  of  scientific  treatment  was  the  true  cause  of 
the  ultimate  blindness.  If  any  treatment  was  employed,  it  was  such 
as  recommended  by  the  most  ignorant  quacks,  usually  old  women,  of 
whom  it  appears  there  are  many,  who  prey  upon  those  but  little  lower 
than  themselves  in  the  scale  of  intelligence.  It  seems  to  be  the  custom 
among  the  poor  to  use  filthy  washes  in  the  treatment  of  simple  as  well 
as  grave  eye  conditions.  Urine  is  a  frequent  constituent  of  these 
washes.  Considering  the  prevalence  of  venereal  diseases,  it  is  remark- 
able that  gonorrheal  ophthalmias  have  not  caused  a  far  greater  number 
of  blind. 


EEPOBT  OF  SUPERIOK  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  POKTO  RICO.        131 

There  are  very  few  specialists  among  the  physicians,  and  no  free 
dispensaries.  This  also  is  in  contrast  to  our  northern  facilities. 

The  thorough  vaccination  of  last  year  has  eliminated  smallpox  as 
a  cause  of  the  future,  but  education  and  a  general  improvement  in 
economic  conditions  alone  will  cause  a  decrease  in  the  prevalence  of 
gonococci  infection. 

The  practice  of  these  quacks  above  referred  to  is,  of  course,  illegal, 
and  every  means  should  be  taken  to  suppress  them. 

Attention  is  called  to  Paragraph  XIV,  General  Orders,  No.  191, 
series  1899,  from  these  headquarters. 

VACCINATION. 

The  United  States  Army  Medical  Department  completed  the  general 
vaccination  of  the  island  on  June  30,  1899.  During  the  four  months 
preceding  approximately  800,000  vaccinations  were  performed.  This 
work  practically  insured  the  country  against  the  possibilities  of  a 
smallpox  epidemic.  With  a  view  to  reaching  those  who  escaped  the 
operation  during  this  work  and  to  maintaining  a  permanent  condition 
of  immunity,  this  board  established  in  August  a  station  for  the  pro- 
duction of  vaccine  virus  and  secured  the  issue  of  General  Orders, 
No.  170,  paragraphs  20,  21,  and  22  of  which  provide  for  the  vaccina- 
tion of  infants  and  others  (see  p.  59),  and  circular  44,  which  sup- 
plements the  preceding  by  providing  for  vaccinators,  methods  to  be 
pursued,  and  the  dates  for  each  municipality  (see  p.  63). 

The  station  since  its  opening  has  been  located  on  the  grounds 
formerly  occupied  by  the  Institute  Agrinomico,  near  Martin  Pena, 
about  5  miles  from  San  Juan.  It  has  supplied  regularly  each  week 
large  numbers  of  freshly  charged  vaccine  points,  which  have  been 
distributed  throughout  the  island  as  occasion  required.  Virus  has 
been  sent  to  the  respective  municipalities  in  such  quantities  as  required 
on  the  dates  prescribed  for  general  vaccination  in  the  above-mentioned 
circular.  Immediate  reports  of  cases  of  smallpox  were  made  to  the 
board  by  all  physicians.  On  the  receipt  of  such  reports  the  board 
forwarded  to  the  alcalde  of  the  district  in  which  the  case  occurred, 
with  the  necessary  instructions,  a  sufficient  number  of  points  to  vacci- 
nate all  exposed  persons. 

The  following  are  the  statistics  of  the  vaccine  station  from  the  date 
of  its  institution  to  April  30,  1900: 

Total  number  of  points  secured  since  opening 65,  465 

Total  number  of  cattle  used 127 

Total  number  of  cattle  successfully  vaccinated 95 

Total  number  of  cattle  unsuccessfully  vaccinated  . .  r 32 

Largest  number  of  points  secured  from  any  one  animal 3,  018 

Smallest  number  of  points  secured  from  any  one  animal 20 

Average  number  of  points  secured  from  male  animals 975 

Average  number  of  points  secured  from  female  animals 521 

Average  number  of  points  secured  from  all  animals 678 

Number  of  animals  rejected 12 

Causes  of  rejection: 

Warty  excrescences  on  flanks 7 

Wounds 2 

Suspicion  of  glanders 2 

Already  vaccinated 1 

Number  of  animals  killed  at  station 1 

Amount  paid  per  head  for  use  of  cattle — 

Until  September  14 $0.60 

Thereafter 1.80 


132   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


The  want  of  success  in  those  listed  as  unsuccessfully  vaccinated,  in 
about  50  per  cent  of  the  cases,  was  due  to  the  fact  that  the  animals 
managed  to  injure  the  site  of  the  operation  subsequent  to  the  inocu- 
lation. 

The  expenses  of  the  station  were: 

For  inauguration  and  repairs $544. 45 

For  maintenance  to  April  30 1,  294.  33 

The  cost  of  each  point  produced  was  2.06  cents. 

NOTE. — In  calculating  this,  one-tenth  of  the  expenses  for  permanent  fixtures  has 
been  added  to  the  running  expenses. 

There  have  been  distributed  to  the  various  municipalities  46,244  vac- 
cine points,  as  follows: 


Adjuntas 525 

Aibonito 700 

Aguada.. 500 

Aguadilla 1,442 

Aguas  Buenas 850 

Anasco 1,000 

Arecibo 2, 400 

Arroyo 500 

Barranquitas 500 

Barros 500 

Barceloneta 800 

Bayamon 1,  357 

Carolina 500 

Caguas 800 

Ciales 800 

Camuy 700 

Corozal 500 

Cabo  Rojo 500 

Coamo 650 

Cayey 400 

Cidra 300 

Comerio 200 

Culebra 325 

Dorado 200 

Fajardo 600 

Guayama 500 

Guayanilla 300 

Gurabo 400 

Hatillo  ..  300 


Hato  Grande 300 

Humacao 425 

Isabela 300 

Juana  Diaz 725 

Juncos 300 

Lares 425 

Las  Marias 300 

Lajas 300 

Manati 700 

Morovis 200 

Mayaguez 2,  313 

Maricao 800 

Maunabo 200 

Moca 300 

Naguabo 200 

Naranjito 300 

Patillas 200 

Penuelas 200 

Piedras 200 

Ponce 6,953 

Rincon : 610 

San  Sebastian 445 

San  German 121 

San  Juan 1,  372 

Utuado 1,600 

VegaBaja 300 

Vieques 100 

Yabucoa 250 

Yauco 6,  756 


The  difference  observed  between  the  quantity  produced  at  the  sta- 
tion and  that  distributed  is  represented  by  the  number  of  points  pro- 
duced above  the  number  required.  After  two  weeks  these  were 
returned  from  the  office  to  be  recharged. 

All  distributions  of  virus  have  been  absolutely  without  expense  to 
the  municipalities.  All  physicians  have  been  supplied  with  record 
books  and  blank  certificates  of  vaccination;  this  also  at  no  expense  to 
them.  Monthly  nominal  reports  of  vaccination  were  requested  from 
practitioners,  but  these  were  not  sent.  An  effort  was  made  to  ascer- 
tain the  number  of  operations  performed  during  this  period,  but  not 
half  the  districts  reported,  and  the  reports  received  were  not  at  all 
complete.  They  indicate,  however,  that  371  children  under  6  months 
and  7,954  others  were  vaccinated,  and  703  were  revaccinated,  a  total 
of  9,128  operations.  Of  these,  3,318  were  reported  as  successful, 
1,065  as  unsuccessful,  and  the  remainder  unknown.  Upon  the  recom- 
mendation of  this  board  the  board  of  prison  control  last  October 


REPORT  OF  SUPEEIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        133 

ordered  all  prisoners  vaccinated,  and  all  thereafter  confined  to  be  vac- 
cinated on  admittance.  It  is  estimated  that  20,000  vaccinations,  more 
or  less,  were  performed  during  the  period  covered  by  this  report. 

CONCLUSIONS. 

Considering  the  brevity  and  unusual  conditions  of  its  existence,  the 
difficulties  with  which  it  had  to  contend,  and  the  multifarious  demands 
made  upon  its  members,  most  all  of  whom  were  members  of  other 
departments  of  the  military  government,  besides  being  charged  with 
the  duties  of  their  proper  offices,  I  venture  to  state  my  opinion  that 
the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico  has  justified  its  existence 
and  proved  itself  worthy  of  commendation. 

In  view  of  the  duties  prescribed  for  it  in  General  Orders  102,  series 
1899,  from  these  headquarters,  it  may  be  asked  to  what  extent  has  the 
board  complied  with  its  requirements. 

There  is  scarcely  a  single  subject  mentioned  in  this  comprehensive 
order,  embracing  as  it  does  almost  the  entire  field  of  civil  sanitation, 
that  has  not  received  the  careful  consideration  of  this  board. 

It  has  perfected  a  very  satisfactory  administration  within  its  own 
office;  its  books,  blanks,  and  record  being  models. 

It  has  licensed  the  entire  medical  personnel  of  the  island,  and  placed 
itself  in  touch  with  those  upon  whom  it  must  depend  in  case  of  an  epi- 
demic. 

It  has  organized  local  boards  of  health  in  all  municipalities  in  Porto 
Rico,  and  published  regulations  governing  them. 

It  has  organized  a  vaccine  station  and  prescribed  laws  for  continu- 
ing the  immunization  of  the  people  from  smallpox. 

It  has  organized  a  chemical  laboratory  and  provided  stringent  rules 
governing  the  purity  and  wholesomeness  of  foods  and  medicines.  It 
has  required  that  the  formulas  of  all  proprietary  and  pa  tent  medicines 
should  be  registered  in  the  office  of  the  board,  and  it  has  prepared  a 
code  of  regulations,  most  of  which  has  been  published  in  general  orders 
from  these  headquarters,  as  follows: 

1.  Permitting  slaughter  of  pregnant  cattle.     General  Orders,  No.  142,  September  18, 

1899. 

2.  Controlling  purity  of  food,  drinks,  and  medicines.     General  Orders,  No.  151,  Sep- 

tember 27, 1899;  General  Orders,  No.  17,  January  31, 1900;  General  Orders,  No. 
48,  March  7,  1900;  General  Orders,  No.  .87,  April  25,  1900. 

3.  Regulating  practice  of  medicine,  pharmacy,  etc.     General  Orders,  No.  153,  Sep- 

tember 30,  1899;  General  Orders,  No.  163,  October  14,  1899,  paragraph  3; 
General  Orders,  No.  28,  February  7,  1900;  General  Orders,  No.  191,  November 
27,  1899. 

4.  Interior  quarantine.     General  Orders,  No.  170,  October  24,  1899. 

5.  Requiring  necessary  statistical  returns.     General  Orders,  No.  181,  November  18, 

1899. 

6.  Pertaining  to  contagious  diseases  of  domestic  animals.     General  Orders,  No.  221, 

December  19,  1899. 

7.  Regulating  vaccination.     Circular  44,  December  14,  1899. 

8.  Providing  for  municipal  physicians.     General  Orders,  No.  67,  March  29,  1900. 

9.  Establishing  local  boards  of  health.     General  Orders,  No.  66,  March  29,  1900. 

10.  Nuisances.     General  Orders,  No.  80,  April  12,  1900. 

11.  Providing  for  and  regulating  control  of  municipal  cemeteries.     General  Orders, 

No.  69,  April  2,  1900. 

12.  Regulating  the  slaughter  of  cattle;  providing  for  meat  inspectors.     General  Orders, 

No.  78,  April  10,  1900. 

13.  Regulating  burials,  disinterment,  etc.     Circular  16,  April  19,  1900. 


134       EEPORT  OF  SUPEEIOE  BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 

The  following  were  proposed,  but  not  published. 

1.  Controlling  operations  offensive  or  dangerous  to  life. 

2.  Controlling  public  water  supply. 

3.  Public  institutions. 

4.  School  hygiene. 

5.  Tenement  houses. 

6.  Boarding  and  lodging  houses,  hotels. 

7.  Providing  for  house-to-house  inspection. 

8.  Slaughterhouses. 

9.  Trades  and  workshops. 

10.  Plumbing. 

11.  Dissection. 

12.  Prostitution. 

13.  Sewerage. 

It  has  reinaugurated,  perfected,  and  enforced  a  system  of  registra- 
tion of  births  and  deaths,  by  which  approximately  correct  vital  statis- 
tics have  been  obtained. 

It  has  conducted  examinations  for  the  licensing  of  those  who  desired 
to  practice  medicine  in  any  of  its  departments,  and  have  arrived  in 
the  country  since  its  occupation  by  our  forces. 

It  has  made  investigations  respecting  the  causes  of  disease,  and  has 
disseminated  information  upon  the  subject  of  the  more  frequent  dis- 
eases found  here. 

It  has  appointed  honorary  inspectors  in  every  district,  from  whose 
reports  much  valuable  sanitary  information  has  been  obtained. 

It  has  conducted  an  immense  correspondence,  and  has  advised  the 
executive  upon  all  sanitary  subjects  regarding  which  inquiry  has  been 
made. 

With  the  advent  of  civil  government  May  1,  1900,  the  board  over 
which  I  had  the  honor  to  preside  ceased  to  exist  by  limitation  of  law, 
and  was  succeeded  by  a  board  reconstituted  in  compliance  with  Para- 
graph IV,  General  Orders  102,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters. 

The  military  government  is  indebted  to  each  individual  member  of 
the  superior  board  of  health,  organized  by  and  serving  under  it,  the 
majority  of  whom  represented  the  medical  departments  of  the  public 
services,  and  whose  intelligence,  zeal,  and  energy  were  of  the  highest 
order. 

The  board  is  indebted  to  Dr.  G.  G.  Grofi',  its  able  first  secretary, 
for  a  wise  and  untiring  devotion  to  its  work  and  interests,  which  went 
far  toward  making  its  successful  record. 

And,  finally,  I  am  personally  indebted  to  Dr.  Harold  W.  Cowper, 
who  succeeded  Dr.  Groff  as  secretary,  for  most  valuable  assistance  in 
the  compilation  of  statistics  and  the  preparation  of  this  report. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major,  Surgeon,  T7.  S.  A. ,  Chief  Surgeon  Department 

of  Porto  Rico,  and  former  President  of  the 

Superior  Board  of  Health  of  Porto  Rico. 

The  ADJUTANT-GENEKAL, 

Department  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 


APPENDICES. 


APPENDIX  A. — Report  of  committee  of  examiners. 

Paragraph  IX,  of  General  Orders,  No.  102,  series  of  1899,  dated  San  Juan,  July  18, 
1899,  assigns  the  regulations  of  the  practice  of  medicine  to  the  superior  board  of 
health.  The  paragraph  reads: 

"To  prepare  regulations  governing  the  admittance  of  persons  to  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  surgery,  pharmacy,  dentistry,  midwifery,  embalming  and  undertaking, 
and  to  enforce  such  regulations  as  are  adopted  by  the  government  of  the  island. ' ' 

General  Orders,  No.  153,  series  of  1899,  authorizes  the  superior  board  of  health  to 
appoint  an  examining  committee,  and  defines  their  duties  and  the  fees  to  be  charged 
for  the  examinations. 

General  Orders,  No.  191,  series  of  1899,  further  regulated  examinations  and  the 
practice  of  medicine,  pharmacy,  etc.,  in  Porto  Kico.  (See  p.  56.) 

By  resolutions  adopted  September  7,  1899,  the  superior  board  of  health  decided 
that  all  examiners  shall  be  familiar  with  both  the  English  and  Castillian  languages, 
must  be  of  good  reputation  in  their  respective  professions,  and  of  at  least  ten  years' 
practice. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  on  this  committee:  Dr.  Ricardo  Hernan- 
dez, San  Juan,  recorder;  Dr.  P.  J.  Salicrup,  Ponce,  P.  R. ;  Dr.  Guillermo  Curbelo, 
Arecibo,  P.  R.;  Dr.  R.  M.  Ponte,  San  Juan,  P.  R.;  Mr.  Domingo  Peraza,  Santurce, 
P.  R. 

After  due  notice  was  given  for  one  month  in  all  the  leading  newspapers  of  the 
island,  examinations  were  held  in  the  offices  of  the  superior  board  of  health  in  San 
Juan,  November  13  to  December  13,  1899,  at  which  the  following  persons  appeared, 
all  of  whom  passed  the  examinations  with  grades  above  75  per  cent,  as  required  by 
the  regulations  of  the  board,  and  were  recommended  to  the  superior  board  of  health 
for  licenses  to  practice  in  Porto  Rico. 

In  medicine  and  surgery — Narciso  Dobal,  licentiate,  Santiago,  Spain;  Francisco  M. 
Susoni  Abreu;  Venancio  Abella  Blanco,  M.  D.,  Barcelona,  Spain;  Mariano  Ramirez 
Lopez,  Montpelier,  France;  Francisco  Aguirre,  licentiate,  Madrid,  Spain;  H.  R. 
Heydecker,  M.  D.,  Harvard  University,  United  States. 

In  pharmacy — Isaac  Rodriguez,  Jose  Ramos  Rodriguez,  certificate  of  preceptor  in 
pharmacy. 

In  dentistry — Eduardo  C.  Casalduc  y  Goicoechea,  D.  D.  S.,  Pennsylvania;  Edwin 
A.  Thayer,  D.  D.  S.,  Pennsylvania. 

In  minor  surgery — Simeon  Martin  del  Nio,  Agustin  Otero,  William  Miller. 

In  midwifery — Julia  M.  Robins. 

This  examination  was  conducted  by  Drs.  R.  M.  Ponte  and  Ricardo  Hernandez 
and  Mr.  Domingo  Peraza,  and  all  the  papers  were  examined  by  the  whole  committee, 
by  whom  the  recommendation  was  made. 

A  second  examination  was  held  January  15  to  31,  after  due  advertising.  At  this 
examination  the  following  passed,  with  honor,  and  were  recommended  for  licenses: 

In  medicine  and  surgery — Hon.  B.  Mosquera,  M.  D.,  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
late  minister  of  public  instruction  in  Venezuela;  V.  M.  Flores  Arrieta,  M.  D.,  Uni- 
versity of  Caracas;  J.  de  0.  Giminez  y  Giminez,  Belle vue  Medical  College,  New 
York. 

In  pharmacy — Miguel  Font  y  Diaz,  Juan  Cervoni  Massari,  Robert  J.  Salicrup,  cer- 
tificate of  preceptor  in  pharmacy. 

In  minor  surgery — W.  Bernard  Stebbing. 

On  January  15,  1900,  the  examiners  held  a  meeting  in  the  office  of  the  superior 
board  of  health,  at  which  Dr.  P.  J.  Salicrup  was  named  president  pro  tempore  (await- 
ing the  action  of  the  superier  board  of  health)  and  D.  Ricardo  Hernandez  recorder. 

135 


136       KEPOBT  OF  SUPEKIOK  BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 

REGISTRATION   OF   PHYSICIANS,    PHARMACISTS,    DENTISTS,    ETC. 

Undei  the  Spanish  Government  in  Porto  Rico  the  above  classes  of  professional 
persons  were  required  to  register  with  the  royal  subdelegations  of  medicine  and  sur- 
gery, the  pharmacists  registering  with  the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy.  Many  physi- 
cians, especially  those  with  Spanish  diplomas,  registered  at  the  palace  in  a  volume 
kept  by  the  governor-general.  The  register  found  at  the  palace  is  in  two  columns, 
both  of  which  appear  to  have  been  transcribed  from  earlier  records.  Both  books 
are  very  carelessly  kept.  The  two  subdelegations  kept  no  registers,  but  each  name 
was  entered  in  the  minute  books,  which  ran  on  witL  two  continuous "  records  from 
the  beginning. 

The  first  records  of  the  subdelegation  were  made  in  1841,  and  in  the  subdelegation 
of  pharmacy  in  1839. 

With  the  subdelegation  of  medicine,  not  only  were  physicians  registered,  but  also 
dentists,  practitioners  of  minor  surgery,  midwives,  nurses,  veterinarians,  and  even 
those  who  practiced  as  manicures.  Physicians  are  registered  as  ''licentiates,"  and 
in  early  years  nearly  all  are  so  inscribed.  Later,  doctors  of  medicine  appear  on  the 
register  in  greater  and  greater  numbers,  until  at  the  period  of  the  American  occupa- 
tion most  of  those  who  registered  were  graduates  in  medicine. 

Surgeons  were  registered  as  first,  second,  and  third  class — surgeon  practices,  skilled 
surgeons,  surgeon  medico  practices,  and  one  is  registered  "sanitary  officer, "  and  one 
as  "skilled  person." 

The  following  medical  colleges  have  been  represented  in  Porto  Eico,  viz  :  Habana, 
Cuba;  Barcelona,  Santiago,  Cadiz,  Sevilla,  Valencia,  Paniplana,  Zaragoza,  Valladolid, 
Granada,  in  Spain;  Paris  and  Montpelier,  in  France;  Heidelberg  and  Wiirzburg,  in 
Germany;  London  and  Dublin,  in  British  Islands;  Turin,  Pisa,  Rome,  and  Naples, 
in  Italy,  while  scattering  diplomas  appear  from  Brussels,  Oporto,  Geneva,  and  Callada, 
the  Institute  of  Santo  Domingo,  with  quite  a  number  from  the  University  of  Caracas 
and  Venezuela.  In  the  United  States  the  medical  schools  of  Philadelphia,  New  York, 
Baltimore,  Boston,  and  the  University  of  Michigan.  Pharmacists  are  registered  as 
pharmacists,  there  appearing  but  five  "doctors  of  pharmacy,"  graduates  of  Madrid 
and  Barcelona. 

General  Order  No.  153,  from  these  headquarters,  dated  San  Juan,  September  30, 
1899,  placed  the  duties  of  the  royal  subdelegation  upon  the  superior  board  of  health. 
To  complete  the  records,  this  board  employed  Prof.  Solomon  Dones,  by  whom  com- 
plete indexes  have  been  made,  and  all  the  physicians,  pharmacists,  dentists,  etc.,  on 
the  island  are  now  included  in  the  register. 

The  totals  are  as  follows,  since  1839: 

Physicians 479     Practicantes 158 

Pharmacists 374     Midwives 22 

Dentists 58     Nurses 1 

RICARDO  HERNANDEZ,  M.  D., 

Recorder. 


APPENDIX  B. — Report  of  chemist. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  May  30,  1900. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  work  accomplished  in 
the  chemical  laboratory  of  the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico  from  the  date 
of  its  inauguration  to  the  30th  of  April,  1900,  inclusive: 

In  this  connection  allow  me  to  call  your  attention  to  the  fact  that  to  the  delays 
necessarily  incident  to  the  opening  of  any  laboratory  of  this  nature  were  added 
others  arising  from  our  isolated  position  relative  to  the  source  of  such  supplies  as 
were  indispensable  to  the  prosecution  of  the  work  proposed.  As  a  result  of  these 
delays,  no  less  unavoidable  than  unfortunate,  and  which  no  provisions  could  have 
prevented,  it  was  not  until  the  latter  part  of  March  that  the  laboratory,  nominally 
opened  February  7,  was  sufficiently  equipped  as  to  chemicals  and  apparatus  to  make 
anything  like  a  systematic  investigation  along  the  lines  contemplated  practicable  or 
even  possible. 

Owing  to  the  very  prevalent  opinion  that  an  investigation  of  the  various  articles 
of  food  would  show  that  the  adulteration  of  these  was  a  very  common  practice,  and 
to  the  belief  that  the  detection  of  this  fact  would  tend  to  a  diminution  at  least  of 


KEPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        137 

this  constant  and  potent  source  of  injury  to  the  public  health,  it  was  thought  an 
investigation  along  the  line  of  food  adulteration  would  abundantly  justify  all  efforts 
made  in  the  research. 

In  the  absence  of  any  data  upon  which  could  be  founded  an  opinion  as  to  what 
would  probably  be  the  most  profitable  line  of  work,  it  was  thought  best  to  investi- 
gate at  first,  in  a  rather  incomplete  way,  those  articles  of  food  which,  from  their 
character,  lend  themselves  more  readily  to  falsification,  hoping  that  the  results 
secured  in  this  way  might  indicate  those  articles  that  could  more  profitably  be 
examined  at  greater  length. 

Accordingly,  on  March  29,  in  accordance  with  instructions  received  on  that  date 
from  the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Kico,  I  began  an  investigation  of  the 
wine,  butter,  vinegar,  and  lard  sold  in  the  markets  of  San  Juan  and  Puerta  Tierra, 
and  it  is  with  the  results  of  that  investigation  that  this  report  chiefly  deals. 

Just  prior,  however,  to  the  commencement  of  this  work  and  as  a  result  of  the 
fact  that  suspicion  has  been  aroused  in  regard  to  the  so-called  "Anis"  of  this 
country,  a  rather  limited  investigation  was  made  of  six  samples  purchased  in  open 
market  at  San  Juan.  This  investigation  revealed  no  basis  for  any  suspicions  as  to  the 
use  of  deleterious  articles  in  the  manufacture  of  this  beverage.  In  the  absence  of 
any  recognized  standard  of  composition  of  course  no  comparisons  with  such  could  be 
made. 

VINEGAR. 

Of  the  fourteen  samples  of  vinegar  examined,  all  but  three  of  those  properly 
classed  as  vinegar  were  low  in  acid  value,  which,  with  the  abnormally  low  density 
shown  by  all  but  two,  points  strongly  to  dilution  with  water.  In  three  samples,  all 
purchased  at  the  same  store,  and,  no  doubt,  representing  the  same  stock,  I  detected 
free  sulphuric  acid,  and  afterwards  proved  it  to  be  present  in  an  amount  approxi- 
mating 1£  per  cent.  Of  course  it  is  unnecessary  to  call  attention  to  this  as  a  flagrant 
example  of  adulteration. 

The  very  small  amount  of  total  solids  shown  by  most  of  the  samples  examined, 
indicated  the  very  general  use  of  artificially  prepared  vinegar,  a  not  unnatural  con- 
sequence of  the  almost  complete  absence  of  apples  and  grapes.  While  no  objection 
can  be  raised  to  the  sale  of  artificial  vinegar,  I  can  see  no  reason  why  a  nearer 
approach  to  a  higher  acid  value  should  not  be  insisted  upon. 

WINES. 

It  is  an  open  secret  that  the  so-called  "  wine"  of  Porto  Rico  has  no  right  to  be 
so  classed,  and  as  that  part  of  the  investigation  of  this  subject  comprised  within  the 
time  covered  by  this  report  was  limited  to  wines  of  this  character,  little  was  learned 
that  was  not  already  known. 

Of  the  twelve  samples  examined  all  showed  a  very  low  value  in  alcohol,  the  per- 
centage ranging  from  a  minimum  of  1.5  to  a  maximum  of  7.6.  Molasses  seems  to  be 
the  starting  point  in  the  production  of  this  beverage,  the  resulting  ' '  wine ' '  merely 
being  this  substance  in  a  more  or  less  advanced  state  of  fermentation. 

MILK. 

Previous  to  the  above  investigation  the  study  of  the  milk  supply  had  been  begun, 
but  was  interrupted  before  much  had  been  accomplished. 

The  low  density  of  the  two  samples  examined  indicated  dilution,  while  the  deter- 
mination of  the  fat  it  both  samples  disproved  the  rather  remarkable  statement  that 
Porto  Rican  milk  was  devoid  of  in,  though  the  amount  was  less  than  3  per  cent. 

BUTTER. 

9  The  results  of  the  examination  made  of  this  subject  fully  confirmed  the  suspicions 
previously  entertained  as  to  the  extent  of  the  adulteration  of  this  article,  and  show 
Porto  Rico  to  be  the  ' '  dumping  ground ' '  of  those  various  compounds  sold  as  butter. 
Of  the  five  samples  examined  prior  to  May  1,  four  were  found  to  be  adulterated  not 
only  by  the  substitution  (in  some  cases  almost  complete)  of  foreign  fats,  but  also  by 
the  incorporation  of  excessive  quantities  of  water.  A  much  more  thorough  exami- 
nation of  this  subject  during  the  present  month  has  continued  to  give  unmistakable 
evidence  of  the  wholesale  adulteration  practiced  by  the  manufacturers  of  these 
so-called  "butters." 
Respectfully  submitted. 

WM.  N.  BERKELEY, 
Chemist,  Superior  Board  of  Health  of  Porto  Rico. 

SECRETARY  AND  TREASURER  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 


138   EEPOET  OF  SUPEEIOR  BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO. 

APPENDIX  C. — Report  on  cemeteries. 

Among  the  most  obvious  conditions  which  called  for  remedy,  according  to  Ameri- 
can ideas,  and  which  attracted  the  attention  of  the  board  from  the  first,  was  that 
relating  to  burials  and  disinterments. 

The  following  is  a  brief  resume  of  the  conditions  as  they  existed  under  the  former 
regime : 

Each  municipality  owned  at  least  one  cemetery.  In  a  few  cases  additional  grounds 
were  allotted  for  the  use  of  distant  barrios,  and  in  several  districts  special  ground 
was  reserved  for  the  burial  of  cases  dead  from  certain  infectious  diseases — as  smallpox 
and  cholera. 

All  the  cemeteries  were  constructed  according  to  much  the  same  general  plan.  A 
certain  area  was  walled  off  and  divided  into  small  plots.  There  was  invariably  con- 
siderable space  for  burials  built  as  niches  in  thick  walls,  and  vaults. 

The  locations  of  the  municipal  cemeteries  have  been  reported  in  the  majority  of 
cases  as  good,  but  in  many  instances  it  will  be  noted  that  in  their  selection  due  regard 
was  not  given  to  prevailing  winds  and  drainage,  or  proper  allowance  made  for  the 
growth  of  the  town.  The  areas  vary  from  one  acre  to  100,000  square  meters,  accord- 
ing to  size  of  the  municipality,  and  were  usually  sufficient  under  the  old  method  of 
use.  Each  cemetery  had,  in  connection  with  it,  a  place  where  autopsies  could  be 
performed,  and  also  a  small  walled-in  space  where  disinterred  bones  were  heaped. 

It  wras  the  custom  for  the  municipality  to  either  rent  the  burial  space  or  sell  it  out- 
right As  might  be  supposed,  the  former  was  the  case  in  a  majority  of  instances,  as 
only  the  wealthy  could  afford  the  latter. 

Disinterments  could  be  made  after  five  years  on  authority  of  the  governor-general, 
except  in  cases  of  death  from  contagious  diseases,  when  it  was  absolutely  prohibited. 

The  bodies  of  poor  people  (the  large  majority)  were  usually  buried  without  any 
coffin  whatever,  and  frequently  lime  was  introduced  to  hasten  disintegration.  Burials 
are  commonly  made  within  twelve  hours  after  death. 

The  remains  of  deceased  were,  as  a  rule,  removed  after  five  years  and  thrown  into 
the  space  reserved  for  this  purpose.  At  all  cemeteries  there  could  be  seen  evidence 
of  this  in  a  pile  of  bones  varying  in  size  according  to  the  age  of  the  cemetery.  Thus 
the  ground  was  used  over  and  over  for  burials. 

It  will  be  observed  that  but  a  small  proportion  of  the  cemeteries  are  of  recent  foun- 
dation, the  majority  dating  from  the  fifties,  sixties,  and  seventies,  and  at  least  two 
going  back  to  the  eighteenth  century,  viz:  Humacao,  1793,  and  Rincon,  1712. 

PEESENT   CONDITIONS. 

Practically  all  the  cemeteries  are  in  a  condition  of  more  or  less  complete  ruin.  The 
cyclone  of  August,  1899,  in  conjunction  with  the  poverty  of  the  municipalities,  may 
be  considered  as  responsible  for  this. 

Walls  have  been  allowed  to  crumble,  refuse  to  accumulate,  and  weeds  to  grow  with- 
out restraint,  so  that  a  most  unsightly  condition  results. 

In  February,  1899,  General  Henry  issued  an  order  forbidding  the  continuance  of 
the  practice  of  disinterring  remains  and  casting  them  upon  the  bone  pile. 

The  area  being  none  too  large  to  begin  with,  and  always  perfectly  inclosed,  and 
the  death  rate  high,  the  natural  result  was  overcrowding,  and  this  condition  is 
reported  from  nearly  every  municipality.  In  connection  with  the  neglect  above  men- 
tioned, a  most  unhygienic  condition  exists. 

The  following  extract  from  a  reliable  report  on  the  cemetery  at  Utuado  would 
doubtless  apply  to  many  others: 

' '  The  cemetery  is  only  300  meters  from  the  town.  This  alone  sufficiently  indicates 
its  bad  location,  for  it  is  well  known  that  the  minimum  distance  between  the  city 
and  its  cemetery  should  be  500  meters.  Between  the  town  proper  and  the  cemetery 
there  exists  a  suburb,  so  that  the  cemetery  is  practically  in  the  town.  It  is  badly 
cared  for  and  bodies  are  left  to  the  dogs — one  body  already  haying  been  consumed 
by  these  animals — and  moreover,  according  to  my  calculation,  since  its  construction 
in  1856,  no  less  than  40,000  interments  have  been 'made  in  its  superficial  area  of  6,000 
square  meters.  Also  human  remains  are  seen  scattered  on  the  ground.  Number- 
less clothes  of  the  deceased,  coffins,  etc.,  are  also  visible.  It  has  no  tree  protection. 
Many  pantheons  and  niches  are  destroyed." 

Also  note  report  by  the  inspector  at  Hatillo,  that  "the  walks  are  white  with 
human  bones;"  also  from  Guayama,  "Condition  very  bad,  and  no  burial  can  take 
place  without  removing  remains  of  some  one  else." 

These  conditions,  of  course,  could  not  be  tolerated.  As  above  stated  the  munici- 
pal government  took  no  steps  toward  their  improvement.  Recently,  General  Orders 


EEPOET  OF  SUPEEIOE  BOAED  OF  HEALTH  OF  POETO  EICO.        139 

No.  69,  were  issued,  which  completely  covers  the  subject,  and  after  June  30  of  this 
year  every  district  must  be  provided  with  adequate  cemetery  space,  managed  in 
accordance  with  advanced  ideas. 


APPENDIX  D. — Report  on  hurricane. 

THE   HURRICANE   OF   1899. 

August  8,  1899,  will  be  long  remembered  in  the  history  of  Porto  Rico.  On  that 
day  no  less  than  2,280  persons  lost  their  lives  from  the  violence  of  the  storm  that 
then  occurred.  It  is  estimated  that  in  addition  to  this  number,  of  which  there  is  a 
nominal  list,  500  persons  were  killed  of  whom  there  is  no  record.  Probably  more 
than  half  of  these  were  drowned,  the  others  being  killed  by  falling  dwellings,  trees, 
etc.  At  Ponce,  Utuado,  and  Arecibo,  the  loss  of  life  was,  in  the  main,  by  drowning. 

Some  idea  of  the  violence  of  this  storm  may  be  gained  from  the  statement  follow- 
ing: At  Naguabo,  every  building  in  the  city  was  destroyed,  except  the  church.  The 
leaves  and  the  tops  of  all  the  cocoanut  palms  were  all  blown  off  the  trees,  which 
remained  standing  resembled  telegraph  poles  along  the  beach.  The  large  Government 
barracks  at  Cayey  and  Aibonito  were  totally  destroyed.  Every  telegraph  wire 
throughout  the  island  was  thrown  to  the  ground  and  word  from  the  interior  towns 
did  not  reach  the  capital  for  many  days.  At  Jajuya  ( Utuado ) ,  whole  coffee  plantations 
slipped  down  the  mountains  into  the  rivers.  The  rain  gauges  were  nearly  all 
destroyed  or  overturned,  but  the  following  records  were  secured:  At  Adjuntas,  23 
inches  fell  in  23  hours;  at  La  Isalina,  near  Adjuntas,  18  inches  fell  during  the  storm; 
at  San  Juan  the  mercury  fell  to  27.90  and  the  wind  reached  a  velocity  of  more  than 
100  miles  an  hour. 

The  following  records  show  that  hurricanes  occur  in  Porto  Rico  mostly  in  July, 
August,  and  September: 

1515,  July. — Caused  the  death  of  many  natives. 

1526,  October  4- — Destroyed  greater  part  of  city. 

1527,  October  4. — Destroyed  greater  part  of  city;  lasted  twenty-four  hours. 
1530,  July  ^.—Chiefly  at  San  Juan. 

1530,  August  23. — Hurricane  over  whole  island. 

1537,  July  and  August.— Three  hurricanes. 

1568,  August  24. — Furious  hurricane. 

1571,  August  18. — Throughout  island. 

1575,  September  21. — Hurricane  called  St.  Matthew. 

1615,  September  21. — Cathedral  unroofed. 

1738,  September  12.—  Terrible  storm. 

1740,  month  unknown. 

1766,  September  19. — Furious  storm. 

1766,  October  7. —Severe. 

1766,  October  7. —Severe. 

1772,  August  28.— ^-Severe  storm  over  whole  island. 

1775,  August  1. — Severe  storm;  whole  island  affected. 

1776,  September  7. — Strong  storm. 

1780,  June  13. — A  furious  storm,  devastating  all  portions  of  the  island. 
1785,  September  25. — Strong  storm. 
1804,  September  4- — Severe  storm. 

1804,  September  21. — Severe  hurricane  called  St.  Matthew. 

1805,  September  11. — Severe  storm  on  south  coast. 

1807,  August  17. — Storm  lasting  three  days;  crops  and  cattle  destroyed. 
1812,  July  23, — Hurricane  touched  southern  part  of  island. 

1812,  August  21. — Storm  in  western  part  of  island. 

1813,  July  23. 

1814,  July  23. 
1819,  September  21. 

1825,  July  26. — Severe  hurricane  known  by  the  name  of  Santa  Ana. 

1837,  August  2. — Storm  called  Los  Angeles;  lasted  five  hours. 

1851,  August  18. 

1867,  October  12. — Ruinous  hurricane  called  San  Narciso. 

1871,  August  21. — Light  hurricane  in  north  of  island. 

1876,  September  13. 

1893,  August  16. 


140       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  map  inserted  herewith,  published  by  permission  of  the  Weather  Bureau  of 
the  United  States,  showTs  course  of  storm  of  August  8. 


'^MMmm^iM^^^ 

Manati.  Bayamon. 

\&*"':^*>^ado-  •**M"'  ""»*<*<>• 

fo/r's*-  *-o~    ^^^  11:00  a.m.  • 

•  Cidra, 

Coamo. 
f*"**^ 

X»    Juana  Diaz. 
9: IS  a.m. 


Fajardo.  \ 


c°* 


X^ 


^- 


-O>     Indicates  first  direction  of  wind. 
-•*•    Indicates  second  direction  of  wind. 

In  Porto  Rico,  as  in  other  countries,  many  houses  are  built  on  low  grounds,  too 
near  rivers  and  smaller  streams.  These,  in  cases  of  sudden  rises  of  water,  are  swept 
away  and  the  inhabitants  drowned.  Ponce  is  situated  in  the  old  bed  of  the  Portu- 
guese River,  and  is  liable  to  great  losses  each  time  there  is  an  extraordinary  rise  of 
the  waters.  At  Utuado  the  loss  was  mainly  in  the  Jayuya  district,  where  the  rainfall 
was  extraordinary.  In  Arecibo  many  peons  live  on  the  river  plain,  wrhich  is  subject 
to  inundation  to  the  depth  of  from  4  to  10  feet. 

The  storm  left  the  people  without  shelter  and  without  food,  or  but  little  of  either. 
The  only  shelter  hundreds  had — for  in  the  interior  all  the  cabins  of  the  poor  were 
destroyed — was  such  as  could  be  secured  under  spreading  trees,  where  they  lived  for 
weeks,  sleeping  on  the  wet  ground.  All  the  fruits  of  the  county,  on  which  the  poor 
depended  to  a  great  extent,  were  thrown  to  the  ground,  but  to  some  extent  were 
usable  for  about  six  weeks.  The  misery  of  people  without  shelter  and  deprived  of 
their  accustomed  food  is  beyond  description.  To  make  matters  worse,  the  munic- 
ipal governments  were  almost  wholly  disorganized,  and  rendered  incapable  of  extend- 
ing any  aid  to  the  miserable  people. 

Such  conditions  could  not  continue  without  the  development  of  sickness.  It 
came  speedily  in  the  shape  of  anaemia  and  dysentery. 

The  anaemia  manifested  itself  immediately,  while  the  dysentery  came  on  more 
gradually.  The  increased  mortality  after  the  storm  was  almost  entirely  due  to  these 
two  diseases.  The  following  table  shows  the  deaths  for  eight  months: 


June 2,  769 

July 3,020 

August 2,  691 

September 3,  701 


October 4,  581 

November 4,  674 

December 3, 967 

January,  1900 3,297 


The  mortality  from  these  two  diseases  was  directly  in  proportion  to  the  lack  of 
food  and  shelter  from  which  the  inhabitants  suffered.  The  interior  towns  suffered 
most  severely  from  both  diseases,  because  in  the  interior  there  was  least  food  and 
least  shelter.  Lares  lost  during  the  year  from  anaemia  646  persons;  Maunabo,  290; 
Comerio,  167;  Manati,  164;  Ciales,  410;  Cayey,  260;  Yauco,  263;  Mayaguez,  210; 
Barceloneta,  346;  and  Arecibo,  429.  The  greatest  losses  from  dysentery  were  in 
Moca,  91;  Bayamon,  54,  Caguas,  117;  Corazal,  100;  Barranquitas,  128;  Morovis,  38; 
Ciales,  328;  Juana  Diaz,  127;  Mayaguez,  95;  San  German,  66;  Arecibo,  146,  and 
Hatillo,  59.  By  an  examination  of  these  lists  and  the  above  table,  a  very  accurate 
idea  wrill  be  obtained  as  to  wrhen  the  suffering  was  the  greatest.  There  is  no  doubt 
at  all,  had  not  food  supplies  been  shipped  from  the  United  States  in  such  large 
quantities  (over  30,000,000  pounds,  valued  at  $1,000,000),  thousands  of  persons  would 
have  died  of  starvation. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  anaemia  and  dysentery,  due  to  specific  causes,  are  not 
universally  distributed  throughout  the  island.  As  conditions  began  to  improve,  both 
diseases  began  to  decrease.  By  January,  1900,  there  was  but  comparatively  little 
dysentery,  and  the  amount  of  anaemia  was  much  reduced. 

As  to  preventive  agencies,  in  case  of  future  disasters  of  the  same  kind  the  follow- 
ing measures  are  suggested: 

1.  The  immediate  planting  of  quickly  maturing  crops  as  garden  vegetables  (rad- 
ishes, turnips,  beans,  lettuce,  etc.)  At  present  these  articles  are  unknown  among 
the  peasants,  and  their  miserable  condition  is  in  a  large  part  due  to  their  deficient 


EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        141 


diet,  the  greater  portion  of   which   is  imported.     Vegetable  gardening  should  be 
taught  these  people  at  once  for  their  self-preservation. 

2.  Roads  should  be  constructed,  in  order  that  the  interior  may  be  reached  with  food 
supplies. 

3.  Houses  should  be  constructed  more  securely.     The  walls  are  now,  in  brick 
houses,  laid  in  mud  instead  of  mortar.     Such  walls,  when  wet,  fall  down. 

4.  The  people  need  education  in  self-government  in  order  that  in  disasters  they 
may  be  able  to  care  for  their  needy.     As  it  was,  nearly  every  municipal  government 
was  paralyzed  after  the  storm  of  August  8,  1899,  and  little  or  no  assistance  was  given 
to  anyone. 

The  loss  of  life  in  the  last  hurricane  is  given  by  municipalities.  There  is  no  record 
of  such  loss  in  previous  storms  in  the  island. 

At  Ponce,  Arecibo,  and  Utuado  the  deaths  were  mainly  by  drowning,  and  besides 
those  recorded  below  it  is  estimated  that  500  others  met  their  death  of  whom  no- 
account  was  obtainable;  at  the  other  places  from  falling  houses,  flying  timbers,  etc.: 


Ad  juntas 15 

Aibonito 17 

Aguas  Buenas 16 

Anasco 7 

Arecibo 403 

Arroyo 6 

Barranquitas 24 

Barros 70 

Barceloneta 2 

Bayamon 10 

Carolina 1 

Ceales 23 

Corozal 43 

Caguas 4 

Coarno 9 

Cayey 24 

Cidra... 36 

Comerio 40 

Guayama 10 

Guayanilla 35 

Hormigueros 1 

Hato  Grande 12 

Humacao 43 

Isabela  .  1 


Juana  Diaz 117 

Juncos 4 

Lares 2 

Las  Marias 16 

Morovis 69- 

Mayaguez 36 

Maricao 2 

Maunabo 26 

Naguabo 2 

Naranjito 27 

Patillas 20 

Penuelas 1 

Piedras £ 

Ponce 281 

Quebradillas 1 

Rio  Grande 1 

Rio  Piedras 1 

Salinas 6 

San  Juan 1 

Utuado 522 

Vieques 1 

Yabucoa 225 

Yauco 8 

G.  G.  GROFP,  M  D. 


APPENDIX  E. — Report  of  committee  on  water  supply,  etc. 

UNITED  STATES  NAVAL  STATION, 

San  Juan,  Porto  Rico,  June  1,  1900. 

PUBLIC    WATER   SUPPLIES. 

Four  cities  of  Porto  Rico  receive  their  general  water  supplies  from  public  water- 
works, namely,  Mayaguez,  since  about  twenty-five  years;  Ponce,  since  about  fifteen 
years;  Guayama,  since  about  twelve  years,  and  San  Juan  since  the  beginning  of  last 
year. 

All  other  communities  depend  for  their  water  on  rivers  or  streams,  rain  water,  or 
the  water  of  springs,  which  are  very  abundant  in  the  interior.  Whenever  avail- 
able the  water  of  springs  is  preferred  by  the  rural  population  for  drinking  purposes 
to  the  water  of  streams.  The  river  water  is  generally  gathered  in  demijohns,  buckets, 
tin  cans,  or  barrels,  and  conveyed  to  the  consumers.  According  to  the  means  of  the 
latter,  it  is  either  filtered  before  use  or  not.  In  the  first  instance  this  is  effected  by 
either  thick  stone  filters,  or  by  Pasteur  filters  which  furnish,  if  properly  attended  to, 
a  very  pure  water.  The  rain  water  is  collected  in  cisterns,  which  are  either  above 
or  below  ground.  This  water  is  apt  to  be  very  objectional  for  the  reason  that  it  car- 
ries with  it  dust  and  whatever  may  be  covering  the  roofs  from  which  it  is  gathered. 
It  should  not  be  drunk  in  an  unfiltered  condition. 

The  water  supply  of  the  above-mentioned  four  cities  which  have  waterworks  is 
taken  from  rivers.  None  of  these  cities  own  any  part  of  the  watershed  of  these 
rivers,  and  none  has  filtering  plants  in  connection  with  its  system  at  the  present 
time.  The  only  change  effected  in  the  water  before  it  is  supplied  to  the  consumers 
is  one  due  to  sedimentation,  which,  in  the  case  of  the  San  Juan  waterworks,  is  accom- 


142   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

plished  in  seven  tanks  and  reservoirs;  six  of  these  were  constructed  with  the  idea  of 
using  them  in  connection  with  filtering  beds  and  the  reservoir  proper,  which  is  on 
a  higher  level.  The  original  analysis  of  this  water  shows  it  to  be  good  and  potable. 

Very  few  houses  are  located  near  the  bed  of  the  Rio  Piedras,  which  is  the  source 
of  San  Juan's  water  supply;  as  a  result  of  this  there  are  only  three  principal  factors 
causing  pollution  of  the  water,  namely,  the  washing  of  clothes  in  the  stream — a 
universal  custom  on  the  island — the  cattle,  and  the  heavy  rains,  which  wash  into  the 
river  inorganic  and  organic,  both  animal  and  vegetable,  matters.  To  avoid  the  two 
former  the  water  of  the  river  could  be  drawn  about  2  miles  nearer  its  source,  where, 
on  account  of  the  mountainous  condition  of  the  country  and  the  absence  of  habita- 
tions and  cattle,  the  possibilities  of  pollution  are,  at  least,  very  remote.  The  third 
pollution  could  only  be  avoided  by  the  establishment  of  a  filtering  bed.  The  course 
of  this  river  is  only  17  miles  long,  the  river  bed  in  its  upper  7  miles  is  rocky — the 
present  source  of  the  water  is  about  8  miles  from  its  mouth.  A  dam  built  at  this 
point  brings  the  depth  of  the  river  to  about  12  feet.  The  capacity  of  the  reservoirs 
is  about  9,000,000  gallons  of  water. 

The  conditions  causing  pollution  of  the  Rio  Piedras,  above  referred  to,  apply  in 
principle  to  the  other  rivers  and  streams  which  supply  drinking  water  to  the  other 
towns  of  the  island.  In  addition  to  these,  there  are  undoubtedly  many  instances  of 
pollution  with  human  excreta,  which,  while  possibly  insignificant  at  the  present 
time,  may  become  a  very  decided  element  of  danger  to  the  health  of  communities  by 
their  increase,  in  consequence  of  the  future  industrial  development  of  the  island. 
Other  dangers  at  that  time  may  arise  from  the  establishment  of  industrial  works  in 
the  neighborhood  of  such  river  courses. 

The  regulations  of  the  superior  board  of  health  looking  forward  to  such  possibili- 
ties forbid  the  defiling  of  the  streams  which  are  the  sources  of  domestic  water  supply. 
They  forbid  the  discharge  of  contents  of  sewers,  privies,  slaughterhouses,  tanneries, 
mills,  and  manufactories,  etc. ,  into  them  if  above  the  source  of  any  such  supply. 

With  all  these  precautions,  still  greater  purity  of  water  should  be  procured  by  the 
establishment  of  filtering  beds  in  connection  with  all  public  waterworks,  whereby 
almost  absolute  assurance  against  microbic  and  parasitic  diseases  from  the  water  is 
given. 

Complaints  of  municipalities  about  pollution  of  rivers  by  industrial  works  have 
come  before  the  superior  board  of  health,  and  have  been  decided  by  that  board  in 
accordance  with  its  regulations. 

SEWERAGE   AND   DRAINAGE. 

San  Juan  being  the  only  city  on  the  island  having  sewers,  the  drainage  and  sewer- 
age here  are  combined  into  a  single  pipe  system.  The  system  was  planned  and  com- 
menced in  1894,  the  work  of  completing  it  was  continued  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
war.  At  present  there  are  only  a  few  streets  which  have  not  been  reached  by  the 
sewer.  In  these  parts  of  the  city  the  conditions  are  similar  to  those  prevailing  on 
the  island  generally,  so  that  a  description  of  them  for  San  Juan  will  include  those  in 
other  parts  of  Porto  Rico. 

The  main  sewer  pipe,  having  a  diameter  of  4£  feet,  empties  into  the  bay  on  the  lee 
side  of  the  city.  The  street  sewers  are  ventilated  through  shafts  covered  with  iron 
gratings  located  in  the  middle  of  the  streets.  At  nearly  every  corner  the  sewer  com- 
municates with  the  gutters  through  intervening  catch  basins.  The  pipes  are  of  suf- 
ficient size  to  carry  off  both  the  sewage  and  the  rain  water,  no  trouble  having  ever 
been  experienced  in  this  one  pipe  system. 

The  houses  connect  with  the  sewer  generally  by  means  of  square  cement  and  brick 
drains,  which  usually  lead  to  a  closed-in  and  lined  cesspool,  in  which  are  received 
the  contents  of  the  soil  pipe  and  of  other  house  drains.  In  a  few  houses  the  drains 
connect  directly  with  the  sewer.  In  the  first  instance  a  ventilating  pipe  from  the 
cesspool  leads  up  to  the  roof.  Both  trapped  and  untrapped  water-closets  are  in  use, 
and,  as  a  rule,  there  is  no  trapping  between  the  drain  pipe  and  the  sewer.  The  open 
courtyards  in  these  houses  connect  with  the  sewer  through  a  bell  trap,  and  unless 
special  connections  with  sinks  are  also  provided  for,  this  court  drain  is  used  for  the 
disposal  of  all  slops. 

The  houses  which  have  no  sewer  connection  have  vaults  which  are  lined  on  the 
sides,  but  usually  unlined  at  the  bottom;  consequently  the  liquid  contents  percolate 
into  the  ground,  leaving  the  solid  matter  to  accumulate.  For  other  house  drains 
there  are  sometimes  special  vaults,  constructed  like  the  cesspools.  In  the  absence  of 
these,  the  drains  lead  into  the  street  gutter  or  into  the  privy  vault;  or,  which  was 
the  universal  custom  before  the  introduction  of  the  sewerage  system,  the  waste  water 
is  thrown  into  the  middle  of  the  street.  From  the  fact  that  the  cesspools  only  retain 
their  solid  contents,  they  require  cleaning  at  intervals  of  from  a  few  years  to  as  many 
as  twelve  or  more. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        143 

In  some  parts  of  San  Juan  the  oldest  drainage  system  is  still  in  use.  In  these 
streets  the  courtyard  drains  open  in  the  streets,  which  are  graded  toward  a  central 
gutter.  In  other  portions  of  the  city  ditches  lined  and  unlined,  well  and  poorly 
graded,  obstructed  and  free,  placed  on  the  sides  of  the  streets  carry  the  rain  water 
and  refuse  water  to  the  sea.  These  parts  of  the  city  have  not  yet  been  reached  by 
the  sewerage  system. 

The  garbage*  of  the  houses  is  kept  in  iron  containers,  with  one  of  which  every 
house  has  been  supplied  by  the  local  board  of  health.  These  are  emptied  into  iron 
wagons,  which  are  driven  about  the  town  every  morning.  The  garbage  thus  col- 
lected is  thrown  into  the  sea  on  the  north  side  of  the  island. 

The  superior  board  of  health  recommended  to  the  city  authorities  the  erection  of 
a  crematory  for  the  destruction  of  this  garbage,  but  the  lack  of  funds  has  so  far  post- 
poned any  action  on  this  recommendation. 

In  all  other  parts  of  the  island  cesspools  constructed  as  above  mentioned  are  in 
use.  The  contents  of  these  are  frequently  used  for  fertilization. 

The  regulations  of  the  superior  board  of  health  specify  the  manner  of  plumbing  of 
buildings,  the  construction  of  new  cesspools,  the  periodical  emptying  of  the  same, 
and  the  manner  of  emptying  them.  They  forbid  the  placing  of  privies  inside  of 
bakeries,  milk  depots,  groceries,  market  houses,  and  other  places  or  rooms  where 
food  is  prepared  and  sold. 

Reports  about  full  cesspools,  also  about  the  bad  condition  of  catch-basins  between 
streets  and  sewers,  giving  rise  to  bad  odors,  also  about  defective  drains,  have  been 
acted  on  by  the  superior  board  of  health  in  accordance  with  its  regulations. 

PUBLIC    INSTITUTIONS. 

These  include  schools  (public  and  private),  asylums,  hospitals,  jails,  court  rooms, 
barracks,  theaters,  and  other  public  buildings  in  which  people  congregate.  The 
regulations  covering  these  buildings  call  attention  to  their  construction,  to  their 
ventilation,  cleanliness,  drainage,  bathing  facilities,  etc.  The  barracks  and  hospitals 
in  connection  with  military  posts  have  been  remodeled  on  sanitary  lines;  improve- 
ments have  also  been  made  in  many  public  jails,  penitentiaries,  and  in  the  insane 
asylum  of  Porto  Rico  during  the  time  they  were  under  military  control.  Wherever 
possible  modern  plumbing  has  been  introduced;  in  others,  earth  closets  have  taken 
the  place  of  the  old  objectionable  cesspools.  Much,  however,  remains  to  be  done. 

SCHOOL   HYGIENE. 

The  principles  of  school  hygiene  have  been  explained  in  the  regulations  of  the 
superior  board  of  health.  No  complaints  have  been  brought  before  this  committee 
for  action. 

Very  respectfully,  F.  W.  F.  WIEBER, 

Surgeon,  United  States  Navy. 

To  the  SECRETARY  OF  THE  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH, 

Porto  Rico,  P.  R. 

APPENDIX  F. — Report  of  committee  on  interior  quarantine. 

The  nature  of  the  sanitary  problems  which  have  confronted  the  superior  board  of 
health,  the  conditions  under  which  the  board  has  labored,  and  its  rather  brief  period 
of  existence  as  yet  have  rendered  a  great  amount  of  work  in  correcting  vicious  hygi- 
enic conditions  impossible.  This  was  early  recognized  and  the  board  adopted  the 
policy  of  establishing,  first,  a  broad  basis  in  all  lines  upon  which  future  hygienic 
development  might  take  place,  afterwards  devoting  itself  more  particularly  to  the 
existent  conditions. 

In  one  sense  interior  quarantine  might  be  made  to  include  hygienic  improvement 
of  almost  every  description,  since  this  branch  of  hygienic  work  included  properly 
not  only  the  regulation  of  the  more  common  contagious  and  infectious  diseases  found 
within  the  borders  of  every  State,  but  also  all  manner  of  preparation  for  the  resist- 
ance of  invasion  by  any  one  of  the  epidemic  diseases  which  may  at  any  time  enter 
its  limits.  The  exterior  (maritime)  quarantine  of  the  island  has  been  organized  and 
is  being  conducted  by  the  United  States  Government  (Marine-Hospital  Service),  but 
it  is  a  fact  too  often  overlooked  by  professional  men  and  laymen  alike  that  quaran- 
tines— maritime,  at  least — are  never  absolute,  and  that  no  community  would  submit 
to  the  restrictions  necessary  to  make  them  so.  The  question  is  always  one  of  a  nice 
balance  between  the  greatest  amount  of  protection  to  the  community  and  the  least 
possible  interference  with  general  intercourse.  For  this  reason  supplementary  inte- 
rior quarantine  arrangements  must  be  made  for  the  suppression  of  the  infection 


144   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

which  is  at  times  necessarily  introduced  through  the  exterior  quarantine.  This 
becomes  one  of  the  broadest  functions  of  interior  quarantine,  of  course,  and  hygi- 
enic development  of  every  description  renders  this  problem  easier  of  solution. 

The  board  has  attempted  to  meet  these  indications  in  securing  legislation  concern- 
ing interior  quarantine,  and  has  outlined  a  policy  which,  if  developed,  should  secure 
to  the  island  the  widest  measure  of  protection  from  infectious  diseases  and  from 
epidemic  invasions. 

Reliable  local  boards  of  health  have  been  established  in  all  parts  of  the  island  and 
sanitary  inspectors  of  the  board  itself  placed  where  necessary,  so  that,  besides  making 
provision  for  general  sanitary  improvement,  reliable  sanitary  information  may  be 
constantly  received  and  prompt  report  made  of  the  occurrence  of  quarantinable 
diseases.  Hand  in  hand  with  this,  efforts  have  been  made  to  educate  the  masses 
concerning  infectious  and  contagious  sicknesses.  A  series  of  pamphlets  on  the  infec- 
tious diseases  most  common  in  the  community  have  been  issued,  both  in  English  and 
in  Spanish,  and  widely  distributed.  These  pamphlets  have  in  popular  style  given  a 
brief  account  of  the  disease,  its  methods  of  propagation,  etc.,  with  plain  and  simple 
rules  for  disinfection,  isolation,  etc.,  and  have  carefully  stressed  the  importance  of 
promptly  reporting  the  occurrence  of  any  suspicious  sickness. 

Lepers  have  been  sought  out  and  segregated;  animals  suffering  with  diseases  com- 
municable to  man  ordered  promptly  killed,  their  carcasses  burned,  and  the  premises 
disinfected;  care  has  been  exercised  over  the  disturbance  of  the  streets  and  the  recon- 
struction of  houses  possibly  infected  by  yellow  fever  during  the  Spanish  regime; 
burials  of  persons  dead  of  infectious  diseases  regulated;  the  work  of  general  vaccina- 
tion continued;  infectious  diseases  promptly  reported  and  isolated,  and  many  other 
things  accomplished. 

Finally,  a  broad  interior-quarantine  law  has  been  prepared  and  published  as  Gen- 
eral Orders,  No.  170,  of  the  Headquarters  of  the  Department  of  Porto  Rico. 

By  this  law  the  following  diseases  are  made  quarantinable  and  placed  under  the 
control  of  boards  of  health: 

Cholera,  smallpox,  diphtheria,  scarlet  fever,  typhus  fever,  yellow  fever,  epidemic 
cerebro-spinal  fever,  leprosy,  glanders,  and  oriental  or  bubonic  plague. 

It  is  enjoined  upon  every  one,  from  physicians  and  boards  of  health  to  the  private 
individual,  promptly  to  report  the  occurrence  of  any  of  these  diseases.  General 
regulations  are  made  as  to  the  proper  treatment  and  isolations  of  the  sick  and  the 
quarantine  of  the  premises;  the  burial  of  the  dead;  the  disinfection  of  a  house,  pro- 
vision having  been  made  also  for  the  disinfection  of  a  house  or  room  after  a  death 
from  tuberculosis,  one  of  the  scourges  of  the  island.  Vaccination  is  made  compul- 
sory, and,  finally,  yellow  fever,  a  disease  from  which  Porto  Rico  has  in  times  past 
suffered  most  severely,  and  to  an  invasion  of  which  she  is  most  frequently  exposed, 
has  been  made  the  subject  of  an  elaborate  set  of  rules  and  regulations  fixing  in  plain 
language  the  proper  management,  isolation,  etc.,  of  this  disease,  which  for  many 
years,  under  the  Spanish  regime,  claimed  a  high  annual  mortality. 

With  this  law,  and  other  minor  provisions  bearing  on  the  same  subject,  it  would 
seem  that  in  time  a  system  of  interior  quarantine  may  be  gradually  developed 
which  will  be  in  accord  with  the  most  advanced  hygienic  ideas,  and  which  will 
afford  to  the  island  the  amplest  protection  possible  against  indigenous  as  well  as 
exotic  diseases. 

C.  H.  LAVINDER, 

Assistant  Surgeon,  Marine-Hospital  Service, 
Chairman  Committee  on  Interior  Quarantine  and  Disinfection. 


APPENDIX  G. — History  of  sanitation  in  Porto  Rico. 

It  is  only  in  compliance  with  the  instructions  of  the  superior  board  of  health  that 
I  undertake  to  make  this  report  on  the  sanitary  history  of  Porto  Rico,  as  I  am  aware 
of  the  difficulties  of  the  task,  not  only  for  personal  reasons,  but  on  account  of  the 
absence  of  archives  from  which  information  might  be  gathered  for  a  complete  work. 

Let  these  lines,  therefore,  be  regarded  merely  a  compilation  of  the  incomplete 
data  on  the  subject  to  be  found  in  the  books  and  circulars,  which,  though  having  no 
special  connection  in  themselves,  may  serve  as  a  basis  for  a  thorough  study  of  the 
matter  by  one  better  adapted  to  the  work  than  myself. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   THE   ISLAND. 

The  island  of  Porto  Rico,  known  to  the  aboriginal  Indians  by  the  name  of  Borique, 
or  Borinquen,  was  discovered  by  Columbus  during  his  second  voyage,  on  the  19th  of 
November,  1493,  and  was  explored  and  conquered  in  1508  by  Ponce  de  Leon,  who 
was  the  first  governor  of  the  island.  It  ia  the  smallest  of  the  Greater  Antilles  and  is 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        145 

about  100  miles  long  by  40  broad,  or  about  3,000  square  miles.  There  is  a  chain  of 
mountains  running  through  the  center  of  the  island,  branching  off  here  and  there  on 
both  sides  toward  the  sea  and  forming  fine  valleys  which  are  watered  by  over  thirty 
main  streams,  of  which  a  few  are  navigable  a  short  distance.  L_ 

|.^-      .  CLIMATE. 

The  climate,  though  tropical,  is  not  excessively  warm,  the  average  temperature 
being  80°,  but  on  specially  hot  days  in  summer  the  thermometer  occasionally  reaches 
90°.  During  the  cooler  months  the  temperature  descends  to  about  66°.  Heavy 
rains  occur  frequently  during  the  year,  and  as  the  greatest  rainfall  is  in  the  fall  and 
summer  the  great  atmospheric  humidity  during  the  warm  season  may  probably 
account  for  the  absence  of  cases  of  sunstroke. 

The  northeast  trades  prevail  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  refreshing  the  tempera- 
ture agreeably.  The  north  winds,  which  are  common  in  the  winter  months,  are 
sometimes  very  strong.  South  and  west  winds  are  unusual,  except  in  summer,  and 
are  always  accompanied  by  great  heat. 

Hurricanes  occasionally  cause  much  damage  to  life  and  property  during  the  months 
of  July,  August,  September,  and  October,  though  seldom  as  severe  as  the  recent  one 
on  August  8,  1899. 

It  is  only  natural  to  explain  the  excellent  health  enjoyed  on  the  island,  as  com- 
pared with  other  tropical  countries  and  amid  conditions  totally  at  variance  with  the 
primary  sanitary  precepts,  as  the  consequence  of  its  exceptionally  mild  climate  and 
to  the  frequent  rain  and  thunder  storms  that  wash  out  the  streams  and  purify  the 
land,  whilst  occasional  hurricanes  leave  the  atmosphere  pure  and  clear,  and  lastly, 
but  not  least,  these  conditions  are  improved  by  the  bright  sunshine  of  which  so  much 
is  enjoyed. 

Typhus  and  other  tropical  scourges  are  unknown.  Typhoid  fever  has  never  been 
epidemic  and  only  isolated  cases  occur.  Scarlet  fever  is  very  rare,  and  the  measles, 
mumps,  and  whooping  cough  are  generally  so  mild  that  patients  recover  with  the 
simplest  treatment,  no  sequelae  occurring. 

The  great  epidemics  that  have  swept  the  island  have  been  smallpox,  in  1804, 1818, 
1877,  and  1880;  and  cholera  morbus  in  1855.  Yellow  fever  has  been  imported  in 
several  years.  Syphilis  is  also  an  imported  disease. 

The  natural  climatic  ailments  are  malaria  in  all  its  forms,  rheumatic,  catarrhal,  and 
hepatic  diseases,  diarrhea,  dysentery,  tuberculosis,  and  diseases  common  to  all 
countries. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  instinct  of  self-preservation,  which  has  always  existed 
in  this  country  as  in  all  others,  has  led  to  the  means  of  obtaining  health  and  prolong- 
ing life,. and  the  Indians  had  their  "buhiti,"  or  "medicine  men,"  who  were  also  in 
charge  of  the  religious  rites,  and  whilst  they  did  not  understand  the  prophylaxis  of 
disease,  it  is  certain  that  through  their  rites  and  ceremonies  and  other  superstitions, 
they  endeavored  to  relieve  pain  and  sought  the  means  of  lengthening  life. 

1521. — The  first  sanitary  measure  of  which  there  is  any  record  was  with  reference 
to  the  transferring  of  the  seat  of  the  government  to  its  present  location  from  the  man- 
grove marshes  of  Pueblo  Viejo  on  the  other  side  of  the  bay. 

This  was  done  at  the  instance  of  Rodrigo  de  Figueroa,  who,  on  July  13, 1519,  wrote, 
urging  that  the  city  of  Caparra  should  be  removed  to  the  island  opposite,  which  "was 
the  best  location  in  the  world."  Caparra  was  the  capital  of  Porto  Rico,  and  was 
founded  in  1508,  but,  as  stated,  was  abandoned  in  1521,  owing  to  the  unhealthfulness 
of  its  position  and  surroundings. 

1768. — We  find  nothing  further  until  1768,  when,  by  royal  charter  of  March  3,  the 
superior  board  of  health  was  established  in  San  Juan  to  inspect  slavers  and  other 
vessels  arriving  from  foreign  ports. 

1804' — There  were  regulations  in  force  at  this  time,  established  probably  in  the 
interval  from  1768,  as  we  find  a  letter  from  General  (and  Governor)  Ramon  de  Cas- 
tro approving  the  plan  of  Dr.  Francisco  Oiler  for  the  preservation  and  propagation  of 
vaccine.  This  shows  that  smallpox  existed  in  the  island.  It  appears,  however,  that 
said  plan  was  not  carried  into  effect — probably  forgotten,  as  the  board  passed  a  resolu- 
tion in  1818  appointing  Dr.  Vargas  to  report  on  vaccination  and  the  means  of  pre- 
venting the  spread  of  smallpox. 

1813. — By  a  decree  of  the  governor-general,  dated  June  13,  1813,  local  boards  of 
health  were  ordered  to  be  formed  in  each  municipality,  and  on  the  23d  of  March,  1804, 
the  local  board  of  health  of  San  Juan  commenced  its  work  under  the  chairmanship 
of  the  alcalde. 

In  accordance  with  a  royal  decree  of  November  10,  1813,  the  city  council  of  San 
Juan  caused  a  report  to  be  made  on  the  "black  vomit"  (yellow  fever),  which  com- 
prised not  only  the  origin,  cause,  character,  symptoms,  development,  and  course  of 
the  disease,  but  went  into  the  matter  extensively,  stating  when  the  stage  of  the  great- 

19709—01 10 


146       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARl>  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

est  danger  of  contagion  was  known  to  exist,  as  well  as  the  natural  and  suspected 
agents  of  infection,  treatment  of  the  disease,  and  its  prophylaxis. 

1814- — In  the  "Bando  de  Policia  y  Buen  Gobierno"  (police  ordinance)  there  were 
included  the  sanitary  duties,  which  the  police  were  obliged  to  enforce,  such  as  clean- 
ing of  streets  and  back  yards,  removal  of  garbarge,  cleaning  of  slaughterhouses,  etc. 

A  slaughterhouse  was  built  in  the  same  year  by  order  of  Governor-General  Lemeri. 

1816. — On  the  17th  of  June,  1816,  a  chair  of  medicine  was  established  at  the  military 
hospital  in  accordance  with  a  royal  decree  of  January  31,  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
Jose  Espaillat. 

The  military  hospital  on  San  Sebastian  street  was  founded  by  Bishop  Friar  Manuel 
Gimenez  y  Perez  as  a  charity  hospital,  with  his  own  private  funds,  in  1774,  but  it  was 
later  ceded  to  the  Government  because  the  existing  military  hospital,  in  use  since  1615, 
was  small,  and  its  position  adjoining  the  governor's  residence  was  inconvenient  and 
embarrassing  for  the  defense  of  the  city.  The  bishop,  however,  made  it  conditional 
that  the  city's' poor  should  be  received  in  it. 

1816. — About  the  month  of  October,  1816,  a  malignant  fever  epidemic  caused  many 
deaths  in  Ponce,  and  the  neighboring  towns  were  obliged  to  isolate  themselves. 

The  governor  sent  Dr.  Arevelo  to  Ponce  to  investigate  the  disease,  but  I  have  found 
no  data  with  reference  to  the  measures  adopted  to  stamp  out  the  scourge,  and  though 
no  symptoms  are  described,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  it  was  yellow  fever. 

1818. — In  consequence  of  several  cases  of  smallpox  at  Manati  and  San  Juan,  Dr. 
Vargas  was  instructed  to  make  the  report  already  referred  to. 

1824. — A  circular  dated  November  2,  1824,  was  published  embodying  a  report  of 
Dr.  Vargas  of  July  24  of  the  same  year,  giving  the  measures  to  be  adopted  in  cases  of 
poisoning  by  land  crabs. 

1830. — In  August  boards  of  health  were  ordered  to  be  established  in  all  towns  and 
villages. 

1832. — A  resolution  of  the  board  of  health  with  reference  to  the  disinfection  of  ves- 
sels was  adopted  by  the  Government,  and  special  instructions  were  issued  for  the 
inspection  of  vessels  trading  with  St.  Thomas. 

1831 . — A  circular  dated  December  31,  1837,  was  issued  by  Gen.  Miguel  Lopez  Bano 
commanding  all  local  authorities  to  report  on  the  state  of  health  of  their  respective 
districts.  A  circular  was  also  published  making  vaccination  compulsory  for  persons 
attacked  by  smallpox  and  those  attending  them. 

1838. — Circular  No.  459  was  issued  by  which  vessels  must  be  inspected  on  their 
arrival  in  port. 

1838. — Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of  health  the  destruction 
of  all  manchineel  trees,  on  account  of  their  poisonous  properties,  was  ordered. 

1839. — The  royal  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  was  established,  composed 
of  three  members  and  a  secretary  dependent  directly  on  the  home  minister  in  Spain. 
It  was  an  advisory  board  for  the  Government  and  all  others  in  authority,  with  refer- 
ence to  matters  pertaining  to  the  medical  science.  Its  duties  were  to  guard  against 
the  fraudulent  practice  of  the  medical  profession  by  unauthorized  persons,  by  keep- 
ing a  register  of  all  physicians  and  surgeons  duly  licensed,  and  to  adjust  disputes 
between  medical  men  and  the  authorities.  This  board  ceased  to  exist  on  the  1st  of 
July,  1899. 

1839.—  By  royal  charter  of  the  14th  of  May,  1839,  a  royal  subdelegation  of  pharmacy 
was  formed  with  powers  to  establish  regulations  for  the  granting  of  licenses  and  the 
fixing  of  fees  for  the  same. 

1840. — Circulars  3,  151,  and  152  of  this  year  contained  instructions  regarding  vac- 
cination. 

1841. — Regulations  were  made  for  the  marine  hospital  inspection,  and  several  cir- 
culars were  issued  with  reference  to  quarantine  measures. 

1846. — The  keeping  of  swine  within  the  cities  and  towns  having  been  declared  a 

Eublic  nuisance,  and  the  cause  of  many  diseases  and  of  leprosy  in  particular,  Circu- 
ir  No.  22,  of  the  28th  of  February,  forbids  this  obnoxious  custom,  and  further  pro- 
vides for  the  examination  of  hogs  killed  for  sale. 

The  superior  board  of  health  sent  a  report  to  the  governor-general  with  reference 
to  the  resolution  passed  by  the  local  board  of  Ponce  in  May,  1845,  by  which  the  sale 
of  pork  was  forbidden  as  a  prevention  of  leprosy,  and  also  on  another  resolution 
ordering  the  destruction  of  mango  trees,  which  the  same  board  considered  the  cause 
of  fevers. 

1848. — By  royal  order  of  March  19,  1848,  regulations  were  established  for  the 
exhumation  of  corpses  in  cemeteries. 

1853. — The  board  of  health  published  recommendations  and  advice  in  case  cholera 
morbus  should  appear  on  the  island. 

1854. — There  being  an  epidemic  of  cholera  in  St.  Thomas  strict  quarantine  was 
established  against  that  island,  and  precautions  were  taken  such  as  the  cleaning  of 
streets  and  yards,  disinfections,  and  the  examination  of  food  products. 


EEPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        147 

1855. — Cholera  broke  out  at  Naguabo  and  general  precautions  were  taken  to  pre- 
vent the  disease  from  spreading.  Persons  dying  from  the  disease  were  to  be  buried 
in  special  cemeteries,  and  in  San  Juan  these  were  prepared  on  the  batteries  of  Santa 
Rosa  and  Santo  Domingo.  The  market  place  was  closed,  crowds  were  prohibited, 
and  begging  from  door  to  door  was  forbidden.  A  board  of  relief  was  appointed  to 
provide  for  the  poor. 

The  superior  board  of  health  instructed  Dr.  Vargas  to  prepare  and  have  published 
a  short  description  of  the  disease,  its  prevention  and  treatment. 

General  Lemeri  issued  an  order  to  be  observed  by  all  slaveholders  during  the 
epidemic. 

1857. — A  circular  was  issued  by  General  Lemeri  on  January  8  ordering  the  discon- 
tinuance of  burials  in  the  cholera  cemeteries  of  persons  dying  of  other  diseases. 

1863. — Royal  order  changing  certain  dispositions  contained  in  the  royal  orders  of 
1845  and  1848  respecting  the  exhumation  of  corpses. 

1865. — On  April  11  measures  were  adopted  by  the  local  board  of  health  to  prevent 
the  spread  of  diphtheria,  among  which  there  was  an  order  for  disinfection  of  houses 
where  there  were  cases  of  the  disease.  A  regulation  wras  also  passed  governing  the 
cleaning  of  streets  and  sewers,  removal  of  garbage,  etc. ,  as  a  precaution  against  con- 
tagious diseases. 

There  was  an  epidemic  of  yellow  fever,  and  measures  were  taken  to  check  the 
disease. 

1866.— On  the  23d  of  June,  1866,  my  father,  Dr.  Francisco  J.  Hernandez,  published 
a  long  essay  on  hygiene  in  ' '  El  Fomento  de  Puerto  Rico, ' '  pointing  out  the  menace 
to  the  community  at  large  of  the  way  the  poor  people  lived,  huddled  together  in  the 
basements  of  houses  lacking  light  and  ventilation,  and  urging  the  Government  to 
provide  for  the  extension  of  the  city,  thus  preventing  the  crowded  condition  it  was 
in.  He  also  severely  criticised  the  system  of  sewerage,  and  advised  that  water-closets 
and  other  outlets  from  houses  should  be  connected  with  the  sewers,  which  should  be 
provided  with  a  water  supply  to  flush  them  regularly.  This  would  do  away  with 
the  cesspools  that  exist  even  to  this  day.  He  received  the  congratulations  of  the 
Government  for  his  essay,  and  soon  steps  were  taken  to  remedy  the  defects  he 
pointed  out. 

1872. — The  "  diputacion  provincial"  intended  to  build  a  leper  hospital,  and,  as 
funds  were  not  available,  it  finally  accepted  the  motion  of  Deputy  Dr.  Francisco  J. 
Hernandez,  which  provided  that  each  municipality  should  isolate  and  care  for  the 
lepers  in  its  district  until  the  original  plan  could  be  carried  out. 

1875. — Several  cases  of  smallpox  were  originally  traced  to  Cuban  arrivals,  and 
measures  were  adopted  to  prevent  the  disease  from  spreading.  Vaccination  and 
revaccination  were  among  these  measures,  and  the  local  board  urged  the  building  of 
a  smallpox  hospital. 

1877. — There  was  a  yellow-fever  epidemic  during  this  year  which  led  to  special 
precautions  in  San  Juan.  The  streets  were  cleaned,  the  sewer  manholes  on  Forta- 
leza,  Tanca,  Tetuan,  San  Justo,  and  San  Francisco  streets  were  closed,  and  dirty  water 
was  not  allowed  to  be  thrown  into  the  gutters  before  12  p.  m.  Special  regulations 
were  made  ordering  the  immediate  burial  of  persons  dying  from  the  disease  and  the 
disinfection  of  houses  wherein  such  persons  died. 

1878. — The  yellow-fever  epidemic  continued  for  the  greater  part  of  this  year. 

1879. — Certain  reforms  were  introduced  into  the  regulations  governing  hospitals. 

1880. — A  smallpox  hospital  was  built  on  the  Santo  Domingo  Battery.  This  build- 
ing was  burnt  by  order  of  the  United  States  Government  in  1899,  and  the  military 
ice  plant  is  at  present  located  on  the  same  spot. 

1881. — During  this  year  a  newspaper  relating  to  matters  of  hygiene  wras  started 
under  the  style  of  "  Eco  Medico-Farrnaceutico." 

^1882. — In  May,  1882,  the  "diputacion  provincial"  contracted  with  Dr.  A.ntonio 
Sierra  y  Carbo  for  the  establishment  of  a  vaccine  station  or  the  sum  of  3,000  pesos 
and  a  yearly  subsidy  of  7,500  pesos. 

1883. — La  Salud,  a  periodical  for  the  purpose  of  ingrafting  into  the  people  the 
knowledge  and  principles  of  hygiene,  was,  in  this  year,  founded  by  Dr.  Francisco  del 
Valle. 

1884. — The  vaccine  service  was  this  year  awarded  to  Dr.  Jose  Elias. 

1886.— A.  pamphlet  on  hygiene  published  by  Dr.  Francisco  del  Valle  was  declared 
by  the  "diputacion  provincial"  a  text-book  for  use  in  the  schools. 

1887. — The  vaccine  service  was  awarded  to  Dr.  Pedro  S.  Caimary  for  4,000  pesos. 

1888. — The  subsidy  of  the  vaccine  station  was  reduced  to  2,400  pesos. 

1891  to  1892. — Dr.  Elias  again  took  charge  of  the  vaccine  service,  superintending 
same  until  1898.  It  was  then  awarded  to  Dr.  Jose  Rodriguez  Castro,  who  rjeld  it 
until  the  "diputacion  provincial"  was  discontinued. 

1894. — The  city  council  passed  resolutions  for  the  establishment  of  a  special  police 


148   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

code  governing  prostitution.     This  was  carried  into  effect  in  1895  and  a  hospital  for 
diseased  women  was  established. 

1898. — At  this  time,  as  will  be  noted,  there  existed  in  Porto  Rico: 

First.  A  superior  board  of  health,  of  which  the  governor  was  the  president,  and 
the  other  civil  and  military  authorities,  the  chief  surgeon  of  the  army  and  the  pres- 
ident of  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  were  ex-officio  members. 

Second.  Local  boards  in  all  cities  and  towns  presided  over  by  the  alcalde  and  com- 
posed of  the  municipal  physicians,  some  members  of  the  council,  and  the  quarantine 
service  physician.  Matters  pertaining  to  local  sanitation  were  passed  upon  by  the 
boards  and  approved  by  the  governor. 

Third.  The  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  and  of  pharmacy. 

Fourth.  A  military  hospital. 

Fifth.  The  municipal  hospital  on  the  Morro  parade  grounds,  known  as  the  "  Hos- 
pital de  Santa  Rosa."  It  is  a  frame  building  and  in  every  way  deficient. 

Sixth.  The  female  charity  hospital  of  "La  Conception,"  with  accommodations  for 
twelve  patients. 

Seventh.  A  female  hospital  for  the  treatment  of  venereal  diseases. 

1899. — Under  General  Order  No.  91,  of  the  headquarters  of  the  department,  the 
superior  board  of  health  was  constituted  July  1,  as  follows:  Col.  John  Van  R.  Hoff, 
president;  Maj.  George  G.  Groff,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Surg.  F.  W.  F.  Wieber, 
U.  S.  N. ;  Surg.  Arthur  H.  Glennan,  U.  S.  M.  H.  S. ;  Dr.  Gabriel  Ferrer;  Dr.  Ricardo 
Hernandez. 

The  work  done  by  this  board  from  July  1, 1899,  to  May  1, 1900,  was  the  following: 

The  adoption  of  a' sanitary  code  for  the  regulation  of  the  local  boards  and  inspect- 
ors. 

The  by-laws  governing  the  local  boards  were  passed. 

Circulars  No.  1,  2,  3,  5,  and  6  were  issued  with  reference  to  typhoid  fever  and 
dysentery  and  precautions  to  be  taken  to  avoid  same;  instructions  to  physicians 
respecting  quarantinable  diseases;  precautions  to  guard  against  dysentery,  anaemia, 
and  diphtheria;  the  establishment  of  a  vaccine  station  producing  a  sufficient  quan- 
tity of  lymph  for  the  whole  island;  the  appointment  of  an  examining  committee  for 
physicans,  apothecaries,  dentists,  practicantes,  nurses,  and  midwives. 

A  chemical  laboratory  was  established  for  analyzing  food  products  and  liquors. 

The  board  has  given  its  attention  to  all  matters  brought  before  it  by  the  Govern- 
ment and  insular  officials.  It  has  issued  licenses  to  physicians,  and  others  examined, 
who  practiced  their  professions  here  under  the  Spanish  rule.  The  management  of 
the  orphan  and  insane  asylums  was  in  charge  of  the  board  for  some.  time.  Plans 
were  made  for  the  erection  of  an  improved  leper  station.  The  secretary  has  reorgan- 
ized and  kept  the  register  of  practicing  physicians,  etc.,  in  a  most  practical  manner 
and  reference  to  same  is  now  easy.  This  has  been  a  matter  of  no  small  labor  and 
deserving  of  the  highest  credit. 

A  statistical  record  of  deaths  and  diseases  causing  same  is  kept,  with  the  coopera- 
tion of  local  boards  of  health,  inspectors  of  hygiene,  and  private  physicians,  who  have 
been  requested  to  furnish  data  respecting  quarantinable  and  other  diseases. 

The  foregoing  is  practically  all  the  information  I  have  been  able  to  obtain,  though 
I  know  that  in  matters  of  hygiene  more  has  been  planned  and  done,  such  as  the 
tearing  down  of  the  walls  of  San  Juan  by  the  Spanish  Government,  and  it  was 
intended  that  the  lands  adjoining  the  city  proper  should  be  sold  to  promote  the 
growth  and  extension  of  the  city,  thus  avoiding  its  present  overcrowded  state. 

The  San  Juan  waterworks,  which  supply  San  Juan,  Santurce,  and  Rio  Piedras 
with  water. 

The  remodeling  of  the  sewrerage  system  carried  out  in  1884,  since  when  cesspools 
are  in  connection  with  the  sewers. 

At  one  of  the  meetings  of  the  "Sociedad  Economica  de  Amigos  del  Pais"  a  reso- 
lution was  passed  as  proposed  by  Dr.  Jose  E.  Saldana  recommending  the  establish- 
ment of  a  bacteriological  institute  by  the  Government,  and  the  matter  was  under 
consideration. 

In  Mayaguez  a  few*  private  physicians  attempted  to  establish  such  an  institute  and 
I  do  not  know  why  the  idea  was  dropped. 

Recently  Dr.  Rafael  del  Valle  requested  the  aid  of  the  United  States  Government 
to  start  one  here,  and  his  request  wras  favorably  indorsed  by  the  superior  board  of 
health,  but  lack  of  funds  prevented  the  matter  from  going  any  further. 

There  has  also  been  an  improvement  in  the  selection  of  schoolhouses  and  these  at 
present  conform  with  the  scientific  requirements  as  regards  size,  light,  and  ventilation. 

I  have  no  doubt  that  the  attention  now  given  by  the  Government  to  matters  of 
sanitation  and  by  the  increasing  efforts  of  the  board  of  health,  this  island  will  not 
only  be  the  loveliest,  but  the  healthiest  place  on  earth. 

R.  H.  HERNANDEZ,  M.  D. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  May  1,  1900. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        149 

APPENDIX  H. — History  of  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery. 
[Compiled  by  Solomon  Dones,  former  professor  in  the  Institute  of  Higher  Education  of  Porto  Rico.] 

The  first  duty  imposed  upon  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  of  Porto 
Rico  after  it  had  been  established  by  royal  order  of  February  28, 1839,  was  the  draw- 
ing up  of  its  regulations  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  said  royal  order.  This 
being  complied  with,  the  regulations  were  presented  to  the  governor-general  to  be 
forwarded  to  the  Government  at  Madrid,  whose  approval  was  necessary. 

In  spite  of  frequent  requests  by  the  subdelegation  to  the  supreme  Government, 
through  several  successive  governors,  approval  was  not  obtained  until  1849.  The  gov- 
ernor then  resolved  to  have  the  subdelegation  revise  its  regulations  with  a  view  to 
placing  them  more  in  harmony  with  its  proper  functions,  or  to  draw  up  another  set 
more  applicable  to  existing  conditions;  whereupon  the  subdelegation  appointed  a 
committee  to  draw  up  new  regulations,  which,  after  being  duly  approved  by  the 
whole  body,  were  sent  to  the  governor  of  the  island  on  December  27, 1849,  to  be 
approved  and  authorized  by  the  sovereign. 

Until  this  time  the  subdelegation  was  not  able  to  perform  its  duties  as  set  forth  in  the 
royal  order  instituting  it,  but  found  itself  confined  to  examining  and  qualifying  those 
who  solicited  the  right  to  practice  medicine  and  surgery  from  the  captain-general, 
being  subject  to  another  royal  order,  which  was  brought  into  effect  on  the  4th  day  of 
August,  1841,  "  to  repress  the  multitude  of  quacks  on  the  island."  In  this  way  many 
titles,  as  medico-practico,  surgeon-practico  of  the  second  and  third  classes,  were  issued, 
permitting  thereby  just  what  it  was  desirous  of  remedying.  In  a  communication 
addressed  to  the  superior  Government  at  Madrid  it  was  requested  that  a  school  of 
medicine  and  surgery  be  established,  ' '  because  in  this  way  the  youths  of  the  country 
would  avoid  going  to  the  United  States  to  obtain  instruction,  from  which  place  they 
came  with  ideas  and  habits  of  immorality,  affecting  both  religion  and  state,  of  which 
facts  there  are  many  proofs." 

The  personnel  of  the  subdelegation  consisted  of  three  professors  of  medicine  and 
surgery  and  one  supernumerary,  acting  as  secretary.  They  were  named  by  the  sov- 
ereign'upon  the  recommendation  of  the  governor. 

The  following  were  the  duties  of  the  subdelegation,  according  to  the  regulations  of 
1849: 

First.  To  have  the  entire  supervision  of  the  practice  of  medicine,  observing  that  no 
person  practices  without  proper  authorization.  To  carry  put  this  obligation  it  was 
authorized  to  vise  the  license  of  those  physicians  already  in  practice  and  to  make  a 
copy  of  the  same  in  the  registry  book. 

Second.  To  regulate  the  fees  of  physicians  for  any  expert  services  they  may  have 
rendered  to  the  authorities,  or  to  fix  the  fee  in  any  particular  case  when  the  question 
has  been  submitted  for  judicial  determination. 

Third.  To  make  regular  reports  on  all  subjects  over  which  it  has  jurisdiction,  and 
reports  in  special  cases  when  requested  by  the  courts  of  administrative  bodies. 

Fourth.  To  select  the  names  of  three  doctors  from  each  municipal  district;  these 
to  be  presented  to  the  governor,  who  will  appoint  as  titular  physicians  one  for  each 
town  from  the  respective  groups. 

Sixth.  To  have  preference  over  other  members  of  the  profession  when  they  desired 
a  position  involving  compensation. 

Seventh.  To  receive  payment  for  consultation,  reports,  and  other  professional 
services  rendered  upon  the  request  of  the  authorities  and  courts  in  affairs  of  justice 
in  civil  as  in  criminal  cases. 

Eighth.  To  examine  all  physicians  with  foreign  diplomas  to  enable  them  to  prac- 
tice in  this  country. 

Ninth.  To  examine  and  issue  licenses  to  practicantes,  bloodletters,  midwives,  and 
chiropodists. 

Tenth.  To  publish  the  penalties  imposed  upon  those  who  had  practiced  their  pro- 
fession without  strict  compliance  with  all  laws  and  regulations  governing  the  subject. 

Eleventh.  To  make  out  the  estimate  of  expenses. 

Twelfth.  To  see  that  its  regulations  are  complied  with. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  1866,  the  governor-general  authorized  the  subdelegation  of 
medicine  and  surgery  to  examine  and  issue  diplomas  to  practicantes.  Another  order 
of  similar  character  was  issued  permitting  the  subdelegation  to  issue  licenses  as 
dentists  to  practicantes. 

Because  of  the  large  number  of  these  secondary  licenses  issued  an  order  was  pub- 
lished on  February  28,  1899,  declaring  all  licenses  issued  to  practicantes  as  dentists 
of  no  value,  and  stating  that  persons  possessing  such  licenses  should  return  same 
within  the  period  of  ten  days  without  fail. 

As  this  matter  was  of  marked  importance  to  the  professional  class  referred  to,  we 
give  herewith  a  copy  of  said  order: 


150   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

First.  The  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  is  authorized,  in  accordance  with 
orders  of  the  Spanish  Government  dated  May  29  1866,  to  grant  certificates  to  prac- 
titioners in  minor  surgery,  provided  the  requirements  in  said  order  shall  have  been 
fulfilled. 

Second.  All  certificates  of  surgeon  dentists  issued  by  the  said  subdelegation  under- 
stood as  entitling  the  holders  thereof  to  perform  the  duties  of  doctors  in  dental 
surgery,  not  being  authorized  by  said  Spanish  orders,  are  hereby  declared  null  and 
void. 

Third.  The  holders  of  these  certificates  shall  return  them  within  ten  days  to  the 
subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery,  where  they  will  be  exchanged  for  certificates 
of  practitioners  in  minor  surgery. 

Fourth.  Those  who  at  the  end  of  the  time  indicated  shall  not  have  exchanged 
their  certificates,  and  continue  practicing  the  profession  in  spite  of  the  orders  given, 
shall  be  called  up  by  the  mayors  of  the  respective  places,  who  will  compel  them  to 
deliver  the  certificates,  and  besides  levy  a  fine  of  $50  on  every  certificate  holder. 

Fifth.  The  practitioners  of  dental  surgery  shall  be  allowed  to  practice  only  under 
the  direction  of  a  doctor  in  dental  surgery. 

The  subdelegation  prescribed  and  provided  for  the  duties  of  its  members. 

The  secretary  was  ordered  to  keep  six  books: 

First,  for  the  recording  of  the  actions  of  the  subdelegation. 

The  second,  for  the  records  of  its  employees. 

The  third,  for  the  registration  of  examinations  to  which  foreign  physicians  were 
obliged  to  submit. 

The  fourth,  for  the  record  of  the  physicians  of  the  island,  literally  copying  their 
licenses. 

The  fifth,  to  preserve  the  communications  of  the  board,  keeping  separate  books 
for  those  letters  received  and  sent. 

The  sixth,  for  the  noting  of  minor  crimes  committed  on  the  island  by  the  different 
intruders  or  charlatans. 

Although  these  books  were,  of  course,  extremely  important,  they  were  kept  in  a 
very  unsatisfactory  manner. 

For  the  better  compliance  with  the  vested  duties  of  the  subdelegation,  a  physician 
was  appointed  in  each  of  the  seven  departments  into  which  the  island  was  and  is 
yet  divided.  He  was  chief  of  his  department,  under  the  name  of  "  coadjutore,"  and 
he  was  expected  to  see  that  the  regulations  were  complied  with  in  his  district,  to 
examine  the  titles  of  those  who  practiced  or  desired  to  practice  medicine  and  surgery, 
keeping  a  current  record  of  all  those  actually  in  practice,  and  to  note  any  case  of  viola- 
tion, informing  the  subdelegation  of  such.  Said  coadjutores  were  named  previous 
to  the  approval  of  the  regulations  of  the  subdelegation,  in  virtue  of  an  authorization 
from  the  governor  on  January  26,  1846.  From  July  22,  1868,  they  were  known  as 
subdelegates  of  the  department,  and  regulations  were  drawn  up  setting  forth  their 
duties.  They  were  obliged  according  to  these  regulations — 

First.  To  see  to  the  strict  enforcement  of  the  laws,  regulations,  royal  orders,  and 
circulars. 

Second.  To  observe  that  no  one  practiced  the  medical  profession,  whether  partially 
or  wholly,  without  the  required  license,  and  that  doctors  should  practice  only  within 
the  limits  defined  by  their  licenses. 

Third.  To  prosecute  all  persons  wTho  disobey  the  laws  governing  the  practice  of 
medicine  or  relating  to  the  hygiene  and  public  health  of  the  district. 

Fourth.  To  examine  the  licenses  of  physicians  in  their  respective  departments 
and  forward  a  copy  of  the  same  to  the  subdelegation. 

Fifth.  To  invalidate  the  seals  and  signatures  of  deceased  physicians  in  their 
respective  departments. 

Sixth.  To  form  a  complete  list  of  those  physicians  residing  temporarily  in  their 
respective  departments,  of  those  who  permanently  practice,  and  of  those  dead,  mak- 
ing any  note  that  may  be  of  interest. 

Seventh.  To  execute  the  commissions  given  them  by  the  authorities  and  to  make 
reports  as  requested. 

Eighth.  To  secure  from  the  titular  physicians  of  their  respective  districts  a  monthly 
report  similar  to  that  forwarded  to  the  municipal  council  or  the  boards  of  the  locality, 
giving  the  number  of  sick  which  they  have  attended  during  the  month,  statingage, 
sex,  and  color,  and  also  the  disease  of  the  patient  and  the  final  result  obtained.  They 
were  always  obliged  to  report  the  appearance  of  any  contagious  disease  and  the  prin- 
cipal circumstances  connected  with  same.  This  was  to  be  done  with  the  greatest 
haste  possible. 

Ninth.  To  solicit  of  the  other  physicians  similar  information  as  given  by  the 
titulars. 

Tenth.  To  forward  to  the  subdelegation  the  originals  of  the  aforesaid  communica- 
tions, exact  copies  of  same  to  be  retained. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        151 

Eleventh.  If  the  information  given  by  the  physicians  was  not  sufficiently  clear, 
more  details  were  requested,  and  an  account  of  the  investigations  were  sent  to  the 
subdelegation. 

Twelfth.  To  make  an  examination  in  their  respective  districts  of  the  progress  of 
vaccination,  to  see  that  it  was  continued,  and  make  a  report  on  same  every  three 
months,  with  recommendations. 

Thirteenth.  To  obtain  the  aid  of  the  local  authorities  when  necessary  to  secure  the 
better  enforcement  of  the  laws  and  regulations. 

Fourteenth.  To  at  once  report  the  Violation  of  any  law  of  public  health,  inclosing 
proofs  of  the  statements  made  in  such  reports. 

All  these  duties  had  to  be  complied  with,  and  no  remuneration  for  the  service  was 
made.  For  this  reason  their  performance  was  never  completely  secured,  and  it  is 
known  that  even  after  circulars  were  repeatedly  issued  the  assistance  of  the  govern- 
ment was  necessary  to  compel  the  delegates  in  the  respective  departments  to  properly 
perform  their  obligations. 

The  right  to  register  the  diplomas  of  physicians  was  later  given  to  the  alcaldes,  to 
whom  the  physicans  were  obliged  to  present  their  diplomas  for  registration  in  the 
municipal  registry.  In  this  registrj^  no  diploma  could  be  entered  unless  the  owner 
was  authorized  to  practice  by  and  registered  with  the  subdelegation  or  governor- 
general.  The  alcaldes  were  obliged  to  inform  the  governor  of  any  violations  that 
they  might  observe,  but,  strange  to  say,  the  principal  violations  were  committed  by 
the  alcaldes  themselves,  who  accepted  diplomas  that  had  never  been  seen  by  the 
subdelegation,  and  the  fact  of  this  abuse  was  never  communicated  to  the  authorities. 
The  result  was  that  doctors  practiced  for  some  ten  or  twelve  years,  having  duly  pre- 
sented their  diplomas  to  the  alcaldes,  but  who  were  wholly  unknown  to  the  officers 
of  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery. 

Among  the  more  important  prerogatives  possessed  by  the  subdelegation  was  the 
power  to  examine  physicians  who  were  graduates  of  Spanish  universities,  approving 
their  diplomas  in  order  that  they  could  practice  their  profession  on  the  island.  We 
would  naturally  suppose  that  all  such  physicians  from  Spanish  universities  were 
subject  to  such  examination.  But  this  was  not  so,  for  in  virtue  of  the  decree  of 
February  6,  1869,  declaring  sufficient  those  diplomas  from  foreign  colleges,  many 
persons  were  authorized  to  practice,  while  others  passed  examinations  to  comply 
with  the  requirements  of  the  royal  order  of  December  10,  1879. 

The  subdelegation  was  not,  nor  should  it  have  been,  held  responsible  for  this  varia- 
bility. The  fault  was  in  the  existence  of  two  conflicting  laws  on  the  same  subject, 
and  the  facility  with  which  the  governor  could  apply  the  one  or  the  other  according 
to  the  special  circumstances.  Still  further,  doctors  from  foreign  universities  were 
authorized  by  the  general  government  to  practice  throughout  the  island,  and  there 
exists  no  evidence  showing  that  the  subdelesration  made  any  protest  in  the  matter. 

There  are  at  hand  copies  of  but  few  reports  which  it  made.  They  are  in  reference 
to  its  having  settled  misunderstandings  between  physician  and  patient,  or  between 
the  courts  and  physicians,  in  regard  to  differences  arising  as  to  payment  for  profes- 
sional services. 

It  is  known  that  the  subdelegation  reported  on  various  occasions  on  medico-legal 
questions,  and  also  reviewed  some  of  the  work  of  experts  in  forensic  medicine,  and 
received  many  congratulations  and  encouragements.  But  no  copies  of  this  work 
were  retained  by  the  subdelegation,  and  the  originals  wrere  attached  to  the  documents 
leading  up  to  the  action  and  remained  on  file  at  the  different  judicial  centers  where 
these  affairs  were  afterwards  given  publicity. 

These  reports  were  made  on  request  of  the  Government  when  it  desired  to  obtain 
the  opinion  of  the  subdelegation  on  matters  of  health,  medicine,  or  any  other  subject 
coming  within  the  sphere  of  its  work.  Its  reports  were  always  absolutely  impartial. 

With  respect  to  the  appointment  of  president  and  members,  neither  the  letter  nor 
the  spirit  of  the  regulations  was  always  observed ;  indeed  it  is  well  known  that  appoint- 
ments made  by  the  central  government,  far  from  taking  these  into  consideration, 
were  often  actuated  by  motives  of  partiality  or  profit.  Oftentimes  those  who  could 
not  agree  with  the  attitude  taken  by  the  Government  were  obliged  to  resign  in  order 
to  maintain  their  professional  dignity.  In  later  years,  more  especially  about  the  time 
of  the  change  of  sovereignty,  politics  became  a  leading  feature  in  the  work  of  the 
subdelegation,  and  as  a  result  the  regulations  were  most  lamentably  violated. 

There  exists  no  data  by  which  we  can  learn  of  the  programme  used  in  the  examina- 
tions of  physicians  and  surgeons.  Some  physicians  were  authorized  to  practice  their 
profession  in  but  one  part  of  the  island  only.  The  practice  of  others  was  confined  to 
particular  towns.  The  fees  were  variable  for  these  licenses,  and  the  licenses  had  to 
be  renewed  at  stated  periods. 

Among  the  various  reports  made  by  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  one 
is  found  in  which  the  table  fixing  the  rate  of  fees  to  physicians  was  modified.  This 
specified  the  diseases  and  operations,  and  stipulated  the  charge  for  each,  with  any 


152       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


variation  allowed  for  unusual  circumstances  of  time  and  place.  It  prohibited  the  use 
of  magnetic  fluid  or  magnetism.  The  subdelegation  regulated  the  use  of  poisonous 
substances  in  June,  1846,  and  matters  relating  to  the  ethics  of  the  medical  profession. 
In  1855  it  suggested  that  a  certain  number  of  physicians  in  municipalities,  where  there 
were  no  titular  physicians,  should  be  appointed  to  care  for  the  sick  poor,  payment  to 
be  made  by  the  Government  in  accordance  with  the  adopted  rates.  It  instructed 
physicians  in  their  duties  in  the  time  of  epidemics,  and  made  other  reports  of  value. 
From  February  10,  1847,  date  of  first  entry  of  examinations,  to  the  extinction  of 
the  subdelegation  and  transfer  to  the  superior  tooard  of  health,  it  examined: 

Foreigners,  revalidations  of  title 99 

Dentists,  revalidations  of  title 32 

Practicantes,  revalidations  of  title 146 

Midwives 12 

Chiropodist 1 

Total  examinations 290 

In  the  registry  book  of  the  General  Government,  together  with  the  book  of  regis- 
try of  titles  of  the  subdelegation,  there  are  found  the  following  entries: 

Doctors  in  medicine  and  surgery 121 

Licentiates 273 

Surgeons 1 

Authorized  but  not  doctor. .  1 


Surgeon-medicos,  third  class 1 

Surgeon-practicos,  third  class 1 

Medico-practicos 1 

Surgeons,  third  class 4 

Surgeons,  second  class 4 

' '  Fracultativos  habilitados  " . .  1 


Surgeon-practicos 9 

Surgedn-mayores 2 

Surgeon-medico-practicos 5 

There  are  found  366  physicians  registered  with  the  subdelegation  up  to  the  month 
of  July,  coming  from  the  following  universities: 


Barcelona 88 

Baltimore 2 

Berlin 1 

Brussels 4 

Cadiz 4 

Caracas 16 

Canada 1 

Edinburgh 2 

Granada 3 

Geneva 1 

Habana 17 

1 
1 
5 
1 
1 
2 
1 


Michigan 1 

Madrid 70 

Bellevue  Hospital  College,  New  York  18 

Naples 3 

Oporto 1 

Pamplona  College 2 

Paris 22 

Pennsylvania 3 

Pisa 3 

Rome X 

Santiago 25 

Sevilla..  24 


Heidelberg 

Holland 

Jefferson  College,  United  States 

Riell 

London 

Louisiana 

Long  Island  College 

Montpellier 5 

Martlnica,  College  of 1 

It  should  be  understood  that  only  16  of  this  number  were  found  to  be  registered 
with  the  General  Government.  The  title  of  the  medico-practicos,  etc.,  were  issued 
by  the  subdelegation,  and  entered  in  a  book  very  badly  kept,  under  the  charge  of 
the  secretary  of  the  Spanish  Government. 

The  following  is  a  classification  of  same  in  accordance  with  their  nationality: 


Institute  of  St.  Domingo 

Turin 

Valencia 

Valladolid 

Wurzburg 

Vanclure 

Zaragoza . 


Of  unknown  centers . .  19 


Porto  Ricans 209 

Spaniards 114 

Frenchmen 21 

Cubans..  11 


Italians 3 

Danes 2 

Granadians 1 

Hollanders 1 


Venezuelans 9     Englishmen 

Americans 3  |  Unknown  nationality 54 

The  following  is  an  academic  classification  of  those  dentists  whose  titles  are  found 
to  be  registered  with  the  subdelegation,  numbering: 

Doctors 20 

Surgeon-dentists 4 

Dentist-mecanicos 1 

Dentists  ..                                                          -  16 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        153 

The  number  of  practicantes  registered  with  the  subdelegation  or  with  the  Govern- 
ment is  145 : 

Examined  by  subdelegation 140 

From  University  of  Sevilla 

From  University  of  Barcelona 

From  University  of  Habana 1 

From  University  of  Madrid 2 

There  were  17  mid  wives  registered  with  the  subdelegation  or  the  Government: 

Examined  and  titled  by  the  subdelegation 12 

From  colleges  of  Madrid 2 

From  colleges  of  Habana 2 

Places  of  graduation  unknown 1 

It  is  but  natural  to  suppose  that  all  the  professional  people  of  the  island  have  not 
been  included  in  the  list  here  shown,  and,  as  we  have  already  seen,  this  is  due  to  the 
fact  that  some  physicians  presented  their  titles  to  the  General  Government  and  not 
to  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery,  and  inasmuch  as  the  book  under  the 
charge  of  the  secretary  has  been  lost,  there  exists  no  data  relative  to  the  registrations 
from  the  20th  day  of  December,  1876,  up  to  the  20th  day  of  March,  1883,  and  the  num- 
ber lacking  is  112,  of  which  some  have  appeared  for  registration  with  the  superior 
board  of  health. 

Since  the  organizing  of  the  superior  board  of  health  174  licenses  have  been  issued  to 
various  physicians.  Of  this  number  127  titles  pertained  to  physicians  who  had  been 
registered  with  the  subdelegation  or  the  General  Government;  39  secured  licenses 
under  the  "  toleration  "  clause  of  the  order,  by  showing  their  diplomas  and  submit- 
ting evidence  that  they  had  practiced  on  the  island  previous  to  the  American  occu- 
pation, and  9  were  examined.  Those  who  became  licentiates  by  "  toleration  "  and 
by  examination  came  from  the  following  universities: 

Barcelona . .  5 


Burlington,  Vt 2 

Brussels 1 

Canada 1 

Caracas 2 

Dublin 1 

Habana..  1 


New  York,  Bellevue  H.  M.  C 4 

Long  Island  College 1 

Paris  and  New  York 1 

Pennsylvania 1 

Pennsylvania  and  Caracas 1 

Mexico  and  Habana 1 

Harvard  . .  1 


Michigan 1  j  Santiago 4 

Madrid 10     Zaragoza 1 


Montpellier 2 

Muchen  and  New  York 1 


Valencia 1 

Place  of  graduation  unknown 4 


Thirty-five  dentists  have  obtained  licenses  for  the  practice  of  their  profession,  18  of 
whom  registered  their  titles,  14  had  diplomas  or  licenses  and  proved  their  practice 
on  the  island  previous  to  its  occupation  by  the  Americans,  and  3  were  examined. 

The  following  is  the  number  of  titles  issued  to  practicantes,  reaching  74: 

By  right  acquired  from  previous  practice 62 

By  examination 4 

By  certificates,  etc. ,  from  alcaldes,  doctors,  etc 8 

The  number  of  midwifes  who  obtained  their  licenses  is  12,  as  follows: 

By  examination 1 

From  University  of  Caracas 1 

In  virtue  of  certificates  as  to  aptness,  etc 3 

For  previous  rights  acquired 7 

One  license  was  issued  to  a  person  as  nurse,  the  applicant  having  presented  all  the 
necessary  certificates  as  to  his  proficiency,  character,  etc. 

NOTES. — In  1816  a  medical  instruction  department  was  established  in  the  military 
hospital,  which  was  taken  charge  of  by  a  professor,  who  was  obliged  to  give  all  the 
necessary  instruction  and  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  chief  physician.  But  this  gentle- 
man could  not  conveniently  attend  to  so  difficult  a  charge,  and  in  1845,  feeling  that 
said  department  was  of  no  benefit  to  the  country,  the  governor-general  ordered  its 
discontinuance,  establishing  in  its  place  a  school  of  ' '  surgeon-medico-practicos, ' ' 
composed  of  four  professors.  After  the  students  had  completed  their  course  at  the 
school,  they  could  present  themselves  to  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery 
and  be  given  the  right  to  practice.  This  was  the  origin  of  the  medico  and  surgeon 
practices. 


154       EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

In  1875  it  was  declared  by  the  subdelegation  that  according  to  the  data  found  on 
file  it  had  to  its  credit  30,000  pesos. 

In  1881  it  was  proposed  to  establish  an  academy  of  medical,  physical,  and  natural 
sciences,  the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy  to  be  included  in  same,  and  to  "come  under 
the  direction  of  the  captain-general. ' '  This  intention  was  carried  into  effect. 

Those  practitioners  of  medicine  who  had  proved  that  they  had  practiced  their  pro- 
ession  for  six  years  were  authorized  to  continue  in  their  practice. 

Whenever  a  physician  with  a  foreign  diploma  desired  to  enter  into  a  competitive 
examination  to  obtain  any  public  office  which  pertained  to  his  profession  he  was 
obliged  to  solicit  same  from  the  sovereign  after  approval  by  the  subdelegation;  but 
sometimes  the  municipal  councils  appointed  for  their  service  foreign  physicians,  and 
the  governor  gave  approval  or  disapproval  to  the  appointment,  according  to  the  case. 

In  1875  the  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  determined  to  regulate  the 
practice  of  midwifery,  because  it  had  become  evident  that  this  work  was  incompe- 
tently performed;  whereupon  the  Government  was  petitioned  that  a  portion  of  the 
Asilo  de  Beneficencia  be  dedicated  to  the  assistance  of  poor  women  in  their  confine- 
ments, and  where,  under  constant  medical  supervision,  those  desirous  of  studying  the 
art  of  obstetrics  could  do  so. 

On  July  18,  1899,  a  general  order  was  published  (No.  102)  in  which  was  clearly  and 
precisely  stated  the  duties  of  the  superior  board  of  health;  and  to  our  view  Para- 
graphs IX  and  X  of  said  order  are  of  great  importance,  as  follows: 

11  To i  prepare  regulations  governing  the  admittance  of  persons  to  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  surgery,  pharmacy,  dentistry,  midwifery,  embalming  and  undertak- 
ing, and  to  enforce  such  regulations  as  are  adopted  by  the  government  of  the  island. 

"To  inquire  into  and  report  upon  violation  of  laws  governing  the  purity  and 
wholesomeness  of  foods,  drinks,  drugs,  and  medicines.  To  submit,  through  the  gov- 
ernor of  the  island,  regulations  to  control  offensive  and  dangerous  occupations,  and 
to  report  upon  and  make  recommendations  regarding  any  special  sources  of  danger 
to  life  or  person. ' ' 

It  will  be  seen  in  the  first  of  these  paragraphs  that  the  same  faculties  possessed  by 
the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy  and  subdelegation  of  medicine  and  surgery  were 
vested  in  the  superior  board  of  health,  without  any  restrictions,  not  alone  in  all  that 
relates  to  the  various  courses  indicated,  but  as  well  to  the  regulating  of  interments, 
funerals,  and  burials,  giving  full  instruction  as  to  the  manner  of  procedure,  etc. 

Regarding  the  second  paragraph,  all  matters  relating  to  sanitation  come  within  its 
jurisdiction,  and  it  is  required  to  give  any  information  upon  such  matters  requested 
from  official  centers.  In  short,  with  but  few  exceptions  as  to  form,  .all  the  power, 
obligations,  faculties,  etc.,  possessed  by  the  now  extinct  subdelegation  and  the  board 
of  health  are  conferred  upon  the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico  without  the 
humiliating,  "trampling-under-foot"  aspect  of  former  times. 


APPENDIX  I. — History  of  the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy. 
[Compiled  by  Solomon  Dones,  former  professor  in  the  Institute  of  Higher  Education  of  Porto  Rico.] 

The  royal  subdelegation  of  pharmacy  was  established  by  virtue  of  the  royal  order 
of  March  14,  1839.  The  regulations  of  August  13,  1841,  determining  its  functions, 
having  been  approved,  were  communicated  to  said  organization  on  the  15th  of  Octo- 
ber of  the  same  year.  Its  establishment  was  ordered  to  take  effect  immediately,  with 
the  authority  to  supervise  all  pharmacies  and  drug  manufactories  on  the  island  every 
two  years;  to  arrange  the  studies  of  applicants  in  pharmacy,  to  verify  the  examina- 
tions of  these,  and  to  issue  the  corresponding  diplomas,  the  fees  being  paid  accord- 
ingly. 

Previous  to  the  establishment  of  the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy  the  practice  of 
this  branch  had  reached  the  highest  point  of  confusion  and  disorder,  because  persons 
who  were  absolutely  ignorant  of  the  most  rudimentary  knowledge  of  so  delicate  a 
science  were  licensed  as  pharmacists.  This  constituted  a  source  of  great  danger  to 
the  public  health,  and  formed  a  constant  menace  to  the  interests  of  humanity.  The 
subdelegation  abolished  this  prevalent  practice,  placing  the  studies  of  pharmacy  on 
a  more  scientific  basis,  and  thereby  secured  a  better  standard  for  the  practice  of  same. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  following  were  included  in  its  organization: 

First.  Three  professors  of  pharmacy,  appointed  by  the  governor,  to  be  of  high 
standing  and  "loyal  to  Her  Majesty  the  Queen  and  her  Government." 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        155 

Second.  An  inspector,  who  also  acted  in  the  capacity  of  secretary  as  well  as  fiscal, 
to  see  to  the  strict  observance  of  the  regulations. 

The  subdelegation  in  its  special  educational  functions  acted  under  the  general 
direction  of  the  national  department  of  education,  representing  the  same  throughout 
the  island  of  Porto  Rico  and  using  a  seal  with  the  words  "Royal  subdelegation  gov- 
erning pharmacy." 

REGULATIONS. 

In  the  regulations  of  1841,  later  modified  to  meet  the  requirements  of  newly  intro- 
duced customs  upon  various  propositions,  the  following  duties  were  vested  in  the 
subdelegation: 

First.  To  inspect  drug  stores  in  all  parts  of  the  island  every  two  years. 

Second.  To  examine  applicants  for  licenses  in  pharmacy. 

Third.  To  observe  that  pharmacists  strictly  complied  with  the  duties  of  their  pro- 
fession. 

Fourth.  To  prevent  the  establishment  of  drug  stores  the  owners  of  which  had  not 
complied  with  all  the  legal  requirements  with  reference  to  their  professional  compe- 
tency. 

Fifth.  To  observe  that  druggists  sold  medicinal  articles  subject  to  the  then  existing 
pharmacy  laws. 

Sixth.  To  impose  fines  upon  those  who  violated  the  laws. 

Seventh.  To  appoint  competent  pharmacists  of  the  island  to  inspect  the  drug 
stores,  reporting  on  what  they  had  observed  and  thought  worthy  of  consideration. 
These  inspectors  had  the  right,  by  special  authority  from  the  subdelegation,  to 
enforce  strict  obedience  to  the  laws,  imposing  just  fines,  which  fines  were  doubled 
on  second  violation.  In  case  of  a  second  repetition  of  the  offense  the  subdelegation 
could  cause  a  fine  as  high  as  250  pesos  to  be  imposed,  and  could  prohibit  the  sale  of 
the  articles  involved,  confiscating  the  stock  of  such  on  hand  and  placing  it  to  the 
credit  of  the  royal  pharmacy.  The  inspectors  were  also  authorized  to  report  any 
person  who  practiced  both  medicine  and  pharmacy,  allowing  such  person  to  retain 
his  own  professional  title  and  seizing  the  other  for  remission  to  the  subdelegation,  to 
be  filed  accordingly.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  inspector  to  oblige  a  father  or  son  to 
relinquish  practice  in  a  town  where  the  physician  was  father  or  son  of  the  pharma- 
cist of  the  town. 

These  orders,  as  well  as  the  inspectors,  were  •  done  away  with  between  the  years 
1862  and  1865.  No  data  exists  relative  to  the  exact  date  of  their  having  ceased. 

Eighth.  To  intervene  and  terminate,  by  recommendation,  any  differences  which 
arose  between  pharmacists  in  the  public  administration  with  reference  to  the  valua- 
tion of  medicines  served  to  the  poor. 

Ninth.  To  draw  up  a  catalogue  of  medicines  that  a  druggist  must  have  in  stock 
before  he  could  be  permitted  to  open  his  place  of  business;  also  the  prices  at  which 
all  medicines,  whether  simple  or  compound,  should  be  sold.  The  inspectors  were  to 
be  governed  by  these. 

Tenth.  To  issue  licenses  to  merchants,  provision  agents,  or  grocers  who  desired  to 
sell  simple  medicines. 

Twelfth.  To  inform  the  authorities  of  serious  violations  of  the  law,  that  the  per- 
sons infringing  might  be  duly  punished. 

Thirteenth.  To  name  a  member  of  their  faculty  who  should  inspect  the  importa- 
tions into  the  country  of  medicines  through  the  custom-houses,  admittting  those  of 
good  quality,  and  retaining  those  that  were  not. 

Fourteenth.  All  the  members  of  the  subdelegation  were  subject  to  the  same  privi- 
leges, rights,  and  other  obligations  that  the  laws  conceded  to  the  other  pharmacists 
on  the  island. 

REMUNERATION. 

The  following  were  the  remunerations  received  by  the  members  of  the  subdelega- 
tion: 

First.  A  member  received  2  pesos  for  each  matriculation  of  an  applicant  in 
pharmacy  that  he  effected;  4  pesos  for  the  two  examinations  held  (paid  by  the 
applicant),  and  150  pesos  examination  fee  deposited  by  the  candidate  before  admis- 
sion to  final  examinations. 

Second.  The  member  appointed  to  inspect  medicines  which  came  through  the  cus- 
tom-house received  4  pesos  for  each  invoice  containing  eight  articles  he  made  out. 

Third.  The  inspectors  received  4  pesos  for  each  inspection  made  of  a  drug  store, 
warehouse,  or  depot  of  medicines. 

Fourth.  Each  member  received  I  peso  for  every  license  issued  by  the  subdelega- 
tion for  the  sale  of  simple  medicines. 


156   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  following  were  the  requisite  conditions  to  enable  one  to  practice  pharmacy: 

First.  To  have  four  years  of  professional  practice,  during  which  time  the  minor 
sciences  must  have  been  studied.  In  the  first  year  it  was  required  to  study  elements 
of  natural  history;  in  the  second  year,  elements  of  chemistry;  in  the  third,  the 
study  of  drugs  and  medicinal  substances  used  in  pharmacy;  and  in  the  fourth  year, 
experimental  pharmacy. 

Second.  At  the  commencement  of  every  year  the  subdelegation  must  prepare  for 
the  matriculation  of  applicants,  who  were  obliged  to  present  original  proof  of  baptism, 
a  certificate  of  having  taken  a  course  (and  this  approved)  in  Latin  grammar,  logic, 
and  mathematics,  and  another  certificate  from  the  druggist  in  whose  pharmacy  they 
practiced. 

Third.  At  the  end  of  each  year  the  applicants  received  an  examination  in  the 
courses  they  had  studied  during  the  year,  and,  if  approved,  a  corresponding  certificate 
was  issued  them. 

Fourth.  The  applicant  was  required  to  present,  before  examination,  certificates 
from  a  pharmacist  to  the  effect  that  the  latter  had  acted  as  his  preceptor  for  the  last 
two  years  of  the  course.  Certificates  for  the  first  two  years  were  unnecessary,  as  the 
applicant  during  this  time  was  not  required  to  study  under  a  preceptor. 

Fifth.  After  completing  his  course  the  applicant  presented  himself  for  final  exam- 
ination before  the  subdelegation,  with  the  four  certificates  of  having  successfully 
passed  the  required  preliminary  examination  and  depositing  150  pesos  with  the  funds 
of  the  subdelegation. 

Sixth.  He  must  then  pass  a  theoretic  and  practical  examination  in  the  presence  of 
any  one  of  the  members  of  the  subdelegation  by  writing  and  dispensing  two  pre- 
scriptions. 

Seventh.  The  examinations  successfully  completed,  each  applicant  filled  out  a 
declaration  in  accordance  with  the  required  formula. 

After  all  formalities  had  been  complied  with  the  subdelegation  granted  a  title  as 
''licentiate  in  pharmacy,"  which  permitted  practice  throughout  the  island;  and  the 
"general  direction  of  education"  was  so  informed  by  means  of  a  printed  form  in 
which  the  applicant's  name  in  full  and  his  residence  were  given.  Should  the  candi- 
date desire  permission  to  practice  his  profession  throughout  the  entire  Spanish  domin- 
ions, the  said  corporation  had  to  be  so  petitioned.  Foreigners  were  obliged  to  prove 
that  they  had  practiced  their  profession  in  their  own  country. 

GENERAL   REGULATIONS. 

The  pharmacists  who  were  established,  and  by  the  public  recognized  as  such,  at  the 
time  of  the  organization  of  the  subdelegation  were  allowed  to  continue  to  practice 
their  profession;  but  those  who  thereafter  arrived  in  this  country  and  were  not  from 
a  Spanish  university  were  obliged  to  pay  150  pesos  to  revalidate  their  titles. 

Merchants,  grocers,  and  owners  of  warehouses  who  took  out  a  ' '  patente ' '  or  license 
were  allowed  to  sell  simple  medicines  in  their  natural  state  without  preparation,  pro- 
vided they  were  sold  in  quantities  of  not  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  pound. 

The  subdelegation  held  meetings  once  every  week,  on  a  day  and  hour  appointed 
by  the  board,  for  the  consideration  of  everything  which  related  to  the  literary  and 
economical  government  of  the  profession. 

The  regulations  provided  for  the  necessity  and  propriety  of  appointing,  when  funds 
so  permitted,  a  committee  on  botany  and  chemistry  to  prepare  a  general  plan  of 
studies  and  forward  same  to  Her  Majesty,  through  the  governor,  for  approval. 

RENDERING   OF    ACCOUNTS. 

The  subdelegation  of  pharmacy,  being  under  the  immediate  supervision  of  the 
"general  direction  of  education,"  in  the  scientific  literary,  as  well  as  the  economic, 
order,  was  obliged  to  remit  a  semiannual  account  of  receipts  and  disbursements, 
witli  a  statement  of  the  amount  of  funds  on  hand  and  accompanying  vouchers. 

Of  these  accounts  remitted,  a  great  number  lay  for  many  years  in  the  archives  of 
the  "general  direction"  without  having  ever  been  examined  or  approved. 

The  duties  of  the  secretary  were  set  down  in  the  regulations  with  a  confused  state- 
ment of  details.  He  received  all  applications  from  candidates,  who  were  obliged  "  to 
send  all  papers,"  including  information  as  to  good  moral  character,  together  with 
the  petitions  made  to  the  subdelegation.  He  had  also  to  take  charge  of  moneys 
deposited  for  any  reason  with  the  subdelegation,  giving  the  corresponding  receipt 
for  same. 

The  duties  of  the  inspectors  were  also  conveniently  established.  These  officials 
were  invested  with  very  unusual  powers.  They  had  authority  to  close,  or  cause  to  be 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        157 

closed,  any  pharmacy  the  owner  of  which  practiced  any  profession  other  than  his  own, 
the  subdelegation  being  thus  informed.  They  had  the  right  to  order  the  presenta- 
tion of  inventories  of  the  property  of  the  store;  and  if  any  false  or  suspicious  state- 
ments were  found,  the  establishment  was,  by  their  own  authority,  ordered  to  be 
closed  and  the  subdelegation  informed  thereof.  The  fines  inposed  were  placed  with 
the  funds  of  the  subdelegation. 

The  inspectors  were  obliged  to  make  a  searching  examination  of  the  prescriptions; 
and  if  some  were  found  to  be  written  by  an  incompetent  practitioner,  for  internal 
use,  the  druggist  was  warned  and  a  report  made  to  the  subdelegation.  In  towns 
without  physicians  the  inspectors  "permitted  internal  medicines  prescribed  by 
'curiosos '  or  quacks  to  be  dispensed."  Comment  is  unnecessary. 

Fortunately  this  condition  of  affairs  with  respect  to  supervision,  which  was  greatly 
abused,  lasted  but  a  short  time,  and  the  druggist  thereafter  was  free  from  the  scan- 
dalous guardianship  of  his  professional  brother. 

Notwithstanding  the  excessive  and  arbitrary  authority  of  the  inspectors,  the  sub- 
delegation  of  pharmacy  may  be  considered  as  having  been  the  best  organized  board 
the  country  possessed,  for  it  carried  out  its  many  indispensable  duties  with  the  proper 
zeal. 

It  should  be  understood  that  previous  to  the  definite  establishment  of  the  subdele- 
gation there  existed  a  subdelegate  pro  tempore,  appointed  by  the  superior  board  of 
pharmacy,  who  was  authorized  to  examine  and  issue  diplomas.  The  last  person  ful- 
filling so  delicate  a  charge  was  Don  Urbano  Blasquez  Pardo,  licentiate,  who  resigned 
on  the  1st  of  July,  1839. 

The  subdelegation  made  numerous  reports,  of  which  many  copies  were  filed  in  its 
archives,  and  the  Government  put  in  force  many  measures  which  said  center  advised. 

In  1862  it  was  recommended  that  in  towns  where  there  were  more  than  one  drug 
store  the  prescriptions  for  medicines  for  the  poor  be  equally  divided  among  them. 

In  1864,  upon  the  suggestion  of  the  subdelegation,  the  governor  ordered  that  pre- 
scriptions written  for  the  poor  sick  be  numbered  and  submitted  as  vouchers  to  the 
accounts  for  reimbursement,  with  a  detailed  memorandum  of  the  character  of  each, 
so  that  errors  or  overcharges  in  accounts  of  druggists  could  be  corrected. 

In  the  same  year  protest  was  made  against  the  introduction  into  the  country  of  the 
homeopathic  system  of  practice,  adding  that  "the  importation  of  medicines  for 
practice,  under  said  system,  was  against  the  interests  of  humanity."  Dr.  D.  N.  Bas- 
come  was  the  first  homeopathist  to  practice  in  this  country. 

The  subdelegation  rendered  a  yearly  report  for  each  town  of  the  value  of  medi- 
cines distributed  to  the  poor  sick,  upon  which  estimates  of  such  expenditures  were 
based  and  approved. 

The  record  books  of  the  subdelegation  show  numerous  communications  from  the 
inspectors  and  also  from  the  inspectors  of  medicine,  the  latter  respecting  their  pro- 
ceedings in  the  custom-house,  and  also  communications  which  lead  up  to  very  exten- 
sive reports  of  but  little  importance. 

Many  of  the  requirements  of  the  regulations  were  modified,  and  others  fell  into 
disuse,  but  the  subdelegation  always  remained  the  authority  on  questions  concerning 
the  practice  of  pharmacy,  interposing  in  matters  of  difference  as  to  payment  for  medi- 
cines between  pharmacists  and  municipal  councils,  preparing  studies  in  pharmacy, 
and  examining  and  issuing  diplomas  to  applicants.  This  latter  function  was  later 
transferred  to  the  Institute  of  La  Ensenanza,  which  conducted  the  examinations 
which  took  place  in  the  academic  year  1898  to  1899.  This  order  required  that  to 
obtain  a  title  of  pharmacist  by  examination  after  February  proximo  the  candidate 
must  possess  a  title  as  bachelor.  This  judicious  requisite  was  not  complied  with, 
because  those  applicants  who  desired  examination  in  the  said  academic  year  were 
unable  to  do  so,  nor  should  this  have  been  required,  since  they  matriculated  previous 
to  the  promulgation  of  said  order  by  the  military  governor.  The  institute  was  closed 
on  June  30,  1899,  and  the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico  was  established, 
which  center  was  authorized  to  examine  and  grant  diplomas  to  pharmacists,  physi- 
cians, dentists,  practicantes,  etc. ,  as  it  has  been  doing  up  to  the  present  date,  with 
strict  enforcement  of  the  laws  on  the  matter. 

The  general  order  abolishing  the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy  was  issued  on  Decem- 
ber 1,  1898,  which  reads  as  follows: 

I.  The  royal  subdelegation  of  pharmacy  is  hereby  abolished. 

II.  Until  a  university  is  established  in  Porto  Rico,  the  courses  and  examinations 
necessary  for  a  diploma  in  pharmacy  will  be  in  charge  of  the  institute  of  higher 
education. 

III.  The  fees  for  examination  and  diplomas  will  be  the  same  as  were  charged  by 
the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy. 

IV.  From  February  next  the  degree  of  bachelor  will  be  required  for  matriculations 
in  pharmacy. 


158   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

V.  As  in  case  of  the  degree,  of  bachelor,  that  of  pharmacist  may  be  obtained  by 
private  tuition,  provided  it  be  shown  by  yearly  certificates  that  the  candidate  has 
during  three  years  gone  through  a  practical  course  of  studies  in  a  registered  pharmacy. 

VI.  The  institute  of  higher  education  will  take  charge  of  the  archives  of  the  sub- 
delegation  of  pharmacy. 

By  command  of  Mafor-General  Brooke: 

M.  V.  SHERIDAX, 
Brigadier-General,  U.  S.  V.,  Chief  of  Staff. 

The  folio wring  was  the  method  of  procedure  of  the  subdelegation:  The  petition  of 
the  applicant  wras  filed.  This  document  had  to  be  accompanied  by  a  communication 
to  the  president,  an  original  baptismal  certificate,  a  certificate  as  to  good  conduct,  and 
also  one  as  to  his  having  taken  a  course  in  Latin,  Castilian,  logic,  and  mathematics, 
to  which  was  added  the  annual  approval  of  the  course  taken  by  the  applicant  during 
the  year  preceding.  The  course  being  completed  and  the  examinations  all  approved, 
a  certificate  to  this  effect  was  filed  with  the  petition  and  a  title  granted.  In  the  reg- 
istry book  a  literal  copy  was  made  of  the  title,  which  served  as  a  registration  of  the 
same.  This  requirement  was  not  always  duly  complied  with,  because  there  appear 
many  entries  that  are  not  complete,  some  minus  the  signatures  of  the  examiners, 
some  without  date,  and  many  with  but  a  single  heading. 

It  was  a  very  common  thing  to  make  exceptions  in  favor  of  applicants  who  were  not 
of  proper  age,  for  these  would  often  employ  a  frequently  successful  way  of  obtaining 
these  exceptions,  that  is,  by  appealing  to  the  governor,  who  usually  received  letters 
of  recommendation  from  persons  of  influence,  and  he  would  then  disregard  the  law. 
He  would  request  information  regarding  the  matter  from  the  subdelegation  and  would 
always  receive  a  favorable  recommendation  on  the  applicant's  petition. 

The  manner  in  which  foreign  titles  were  registered  was  to  literally  copy  the  title 
presented  by  the  applicant. 

Pharmacists,  not  graduates  of  Spanish  universities,  were  obliged  to  obtain  a  license 
by  examination,  which  fact  was  later  noted  in  the  registry,  the  same  as  done  to  stu- 
dents who  took  courses  in  the  subdelegation. 

The  power  of  reviewing  foreign  titles  was  vested  with  the  subdelegation  in  1846 
and  ratified  in  1848;  the  payment  of  750  "escudos,"  equivalent  to  375  pesos,  being 
an  indispensable  condition;  but  later,  taking  as  a  basis  the  expenses  which  this  insti- 
tute had,  the  applicant  was  obliged  to  pay  8  pesos  for  examination  and  150  pesos  for 
the  title,  besides  other  expenses. 

From  the  5th  day  of  March,  1842,  date  on  which  the  first  entry  was  made  in  the 
registry  book,  until  the  last,  the  date  of  which  is  not  given,  though  quite  certainly 
some  time  in  the  year  1898,  the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy  registered  331  pharma- 
cists, from  the  following  places: 

Subdelegation  of  pharmacy  of  Porto  Rico 297 

Porto-medicate  of  Cadiz 1 

Superior  board  of  pharmacy  of  Cuba 5 

Given  by  the  general  direction  of  education  of  Spain  (college  not  given) 2 

Subdelegation  of  pharmacy  of  Mallorca 1 

University  of  Naples,  Italy 1 

University  of  Santiago 3 

University  of  Madrid 5 

University  of  Barcelona 7 

University  of  Habana 5 

New  York  College 1 

University  of  Caracas 1 

University  of  Canada 1 

University  of  Sevilla 1 

With  respect  to  nationality  they  may  be  classified  as  follows: 


Dominicans 3 

Danes 3 

Swedes 2 

Italian 1 

Mexican 1 

Of  unknown  nationality 6 


Porto  Ricans 260 

Spaniards 32 

Cubans 5 

Venezuelans 5 

Frenchmen 12 

Englishmen 1 

The  institute  granted  34  titles  to  persons  who  because  of  these  were  licensed  by 
the  superior  board  of  health,  of  which  number  but  20  appear  to  be  entered  in  the 
old  registry  book  of  the  institute.  They  are  as  follows: 

Porto  Ricans 32 

Cuban 1 

Dominican..  1 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        159 

Since  the  superior  board  of  health  was  established,  to  date  205  licenses  were  issued 
to  different  pharmacists,  as  follows: 

To  those  granted  licenses  by  the  royal  subdelegation  of  pharmacy  of  Porto  Rico. .  162 

To  those  granted  licenses  by  the  board  of  higher  education 34 

By  examination 5 

To  those  with  titles  from  the  University  of  Barcelona,  and  who  had  practiced 

previous  to  the  advent  of  the  Americans 2 

To  those  who  possessed  titles  from  German  universities 1 

By  toleration — license  granted  in  virtue  of  large  practice  during  Spanish  occu- 

'pation  and  proven  aptitude  in  pharmacy 1 

There  are  of  these: 

Porto  Ricans 191 

American 1 

Cubans 3 

Frenchman 1 

Dominican 1 

Spaniards 8 

The  fact  that  the  subdelegation  of  pharmacy  most  notably  seconded  the  steps 
taken  by  the  Conde  de  Mirasol,  governor-general  of  Porto  Rico,  deserves  special 
attention.  The  said  general  suggested  that  2  Porto  Rican  youths,  whose  character 
and  intelligence  were  unquestioned,  be  sent  to  Europe  to  receive  a  scientific  educa- 
tion, so  that  upon  their  return  they  could  enlighten  the  culture  of  their  native  land 
with  what  they  had  acquired.  This  recommendation  received  a  hearty  echo  from 
all  the  members  of  the  subdelegation,  and  in  April,  1848,  it  was  authorized  to  invest 
in  said  project  $1,000  annually  for  the  maintenance  of  said  youths. 

One  of  the  two  students  elected  was  Dn.  Ramon  Baldoriothy  de  Castro,  who,  by 
his  wisdom  and  virtue,  reach  the  highest  possible  position  among  his  fellow-country- 
men, his  name  being  well  known  in  other  countries. 

The  other  student  was  Dn.  Jose  J.  de  Acosta,  who,  together  wTith  Dn.  Ramon 
Castro,  opened  the  way  for  the  free  entrance  of  civilization  into  the  country.  They 
represented  their  country  in  her  demands  for  justice  from  the  Spanish  courts,  though, 
unfortunately,  in  spite  of  their  earnest  efforts,  this  was  never  obtained. 

In  1885  pharmacists  were  declared  exempt  from  the  payment  of  subsidiary  taxes 
for  the  substances  they  employed  in  the  composition  of  medicines,  but  they  were 
obliged  to  fill  gratis  all  prescriptions  written  by  physicians  under  the  pro  amore  dei 
clause. 

The  widows  of  pharmacists  were  authorized  to  keep  open,  under  their  name,  the 
establishment  of  their  husband,  but  a  licentiate  in  pharmacy  had  always  to  •  be 
present. 

Shortly  after  the  foundation  of  the  subdelegation  moneys  were  collected  from 
students^in  pharmacy  in  payment  for  examinations  and  title.  With  these  funds  the 
board  met  its  many  expenses,  but  later  the  state  laid  hold  of  these  as  a  means  of 
covering  the  expenses  of  its  budget. 


APPENDIX  J. — Report  of  board  of  health  of  San  Juan. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  May  16,  1900. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  board  of  health  of  this 
city  for  the  period  from  July  1,  1899,  to  April  30,  1900. 

A  few  remarks  in  reference  to  this  city  and  its  people  may  aid  in  fully  appreciating 
the  difficulties  experienced  by  the  city  board  of  health  in  its  work. 

San  Juan,  except  that  portion  known  as  Santurce,  is  situated  on  the  island  of  San 
Juan.  It  is  located  on  a  hillside  wrhich  slopes  from  north  to  south,  and  its  natural 
drainage  is  excellent,  the  only  disadvantage  being  that  the  drainage  flows  into  the 
bay,  which  is  on  the  south  of  the  island,  and  which  constitutes  the  harbor  of  San 
Juan. 

It  is  said  that  originally  the  Spanish  Government  retained  for  military  purposes 
all  the  island  of  San  Juan  except  a  small  strip  adjacent  to  the  harbor,  which  was 
turned  over  to  the  natives  for  building  purposes.  * 

As  the  population  increased  another  allowance  of  land  was  made  them,  and  the 
process  was  repeated,  so  that  at  present  we  have  a  city  in  which  the  lower  and  less 
desirable  portions  are  occupied  by  the  wealthier  class  and  the  higher  and  more 
desirable  portions  by  the  poorer  class. 


160   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

San  Juan  proper  is  a  walled  city  and  it  was  evidently  the  desire  and  intention  of 
its  people  to  live  within  its  w^alls,  as  of  a  total  population  of  32,000  in  the  entire 
municipality,  about  18,000  are  packed  within  a  space  of  about  140  acres;  i.  e.,  they 
occupy  so  much  of  the  land  within  the  walls  as  was  given  up  to  them  for  building 
purposes.  The  remaining  14,000  are  scattered  about  in  the  suburbs  of  Puerta  de 
Terra  and  Santurce. 

Its  inhabitants  are  about  equally  divided  between  the  colored — negro  and  mulatto — 
and  the  white — Spanish  and  Porto  Rican. 

In  all  matters  of  sanitation  and  hygiene  the  Spaniards  appear  to  be  about  a  cen- 
tury behind  the  times,  and  it  is,  therefore,  not  surprising  that  the  majority  of  the 
inhabitants  of  this  city  are  uncleanly,  both  in  their  domestic  surroundings  and  in 
their  personal  habits. 

Owing  to  the  lack  of  proper  facilities  for  the  disposal  of  sewage,  it  was  customary 
to  throw  almost  all  waste  matter  either  into  the  cesspool  or  the  street,  a  small  pro- 
portion of  garbage  being  taken  away  by  bull  carts.  With  the  owner  of  the  house 
threatening  a  rise  in  rent  in  case  he  was  required  to  clean  the  cesspool  too  frequently 
to  suit  him,  with  the  police  threatening  arrest  in  case  slops  were  thrown  into  the 
street  before  10.30  p.  m.,  and  with  either  no  sewers  or  no  proper  sewrers,  it  can  not  be 
wondered  at  that  these  people  had  learned  to  live  with  the  use  of  the  smallest  possi- 
ble quantity  of  water  for  cleaning  purposes.  But  that  the  lack  of  facilities  for  the 
disposal  of  waste  water  is  not  the  sole  cause  of  their  uncleanliness  is  shown  by  the 
fact  that  in  country  districts,  where  there  is  plenty  of  room  for  the  disposal  of  sew- 
age, the  same  uncleanly  habits  are  observed  as  in  the  city. 

The  fact  that  until  recently  they  depended  entirely  upon  cistern  water  (rain  water) 
for  all  purposes  may  also  have  had  something  to  do  with  their  scanty  use  of  it. 
Whatever  the  cause  or  causes,  it  is  quite  true  that  the  natives  of  this  city  appear  to 
possess  a  decided  antipathy  to  water. 

The  buildings  are,  as  a  rule,  two  stories  in  height.  They  abut  directly  on  the 
street,  and  in  compliance  with  a  municipal  ordinance  about  one-third  to  one-fourth 
of  the  ground  upon  wrhich  they  are  erected  is  left  uncovered  and  is  used  as  a  court- 
yard. The  houses  are  invariably  of  brick  and  cement  mortar,  a  compulsory  measure 
also.  About  four-fifths  of  the  houses  in  San  Juan  proper  are  tenement  houses, 
according  to  the  American  idea  of  a  tenement  house,  i.  e. ,  roughly  speaking,  a  house 
in  which  three  or  more  families  dwell.  The  ground  floor  consists  of  a  hallway  lead- 
ing to  the  courtyard,  on  each  side  of  which,  and  on  all  sides  of  the  courtyard,  are 
small  rooms,  each  occupied  by  one  entire  family  of  the  poorer  class.  The  wealthier 
people  live  on  the  upper  floor  or  floors. 

In  the  center  of  the  courtyard  is  the  cistern  from  which  water  for  all  purposes  is 
obtained.  Within  the  last  year  aqueduct  wrater  has  been  installed  in  probably  two- 
fifths  of  the  houses.  On  the  ground  floor,  in  rear,  is  the  latrina  or  cesspool,  an  enor- 
mous hole  with  brick  and  cement  sides  and  a  floor  of  earth  to  permit  the  liquid  con- 
tents to  pass  into  the  ground  below.  It  can,  therefore,  be  readily  understood  that 
this  city  is  undermined  wTith  cesspool  matter.  The  latrina  is  neither  lighted  nor 
ventilated  except  by  the  door  through  which  one  enters. 

Two  of  the  great  needs  of  the  city  at  present  are  more  available  land  for  building 
purposes  and  more  houses. 

If  the  regulations  of  the  superior  board  of  health  in  regard  to  air  space  in  dwelling 
houses  wrere  strictly  enforced,  hundreds  of  families  would  be  rendered  homeless. 

As  for  house  plumbing,  there  was  none.  About  twro  years  ago  a  municipal  ordi- 
nance was  passed  which  stated  that  in  all  streets  where  there  was  a  sewer  the  large 
cesspool  should  be  replaced  by  a  small  one,  called  a  "poso-muro,"  which  should  be 
connected  with  the  sewer.  A  large  number  of  the  property  owners  simply  made  an 
opening  in  the  top  of  the  original  cesspool  and  connected  with  the  sewer  by  a  brick 
drain;  and  this  method  of  house  plumbing,  namely,  the  connection  of  the  cesspool 
with  the  sewer  by  a  brick  overflow,  is  in  vogue  to-day. 

In  some  of  the  large  tenement  houses  there  is  a  person  whose  business  it  is  to  see 
that  no  one  sleeps  therein  without  paying  rent,  but  there  is  no  one  to  look  after  the 
cleanliness  of  the  place  in  general.  One  of  the  first  acts  of  the  city  board  of  health 
was  to  endeavor  to  obtain  an  approval  of  the  city  council  to  an  ordinance  compelling 
owners  of  tenement  houses  to  appoint  a  janitor,  whose  business  it  would  be  to  clean 
those  parts  of  the  premises  used  in  common;  but  the  council  refused  to  approve. 

The  city  government  has  not  been  progressive  in  sanitary  matters,  and  whatever 
advancement  has  been  made  was  on  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of 
health  and  by  order  of  the  military  governor. 

Another  great  fault  in  house  sanitation  is  the  manner  in  which  cisterns  are  cared 
for.  Their  walls  and  floors  are  of  brick  and  cement,  and  as  a  rule  they  are  without 
covers.  Very  often  the  walls  are  cracked  or  broken,  and,  as  they  are  never  far  from 
the  cesspool,  in  such  cases  there  is  undoubtedly  infiltration  of  cesspool  matter  into 
the  cistern.  Often,  too,  are  found  in  cisterns  old  cans,  shoes,  rags,  etc.,  evidently 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        161 


thrown  there  by  the  people  who  drink  water  therefrom.  Very  often  the  usual  place 
for  the  bucket,  which  is  used  for  hauling  up  water  from  the  cistern,  is  on  the  floor  of 
the  courtyard,  which  is  apt  to  be  very  dirty.  Rain  water  is  conducted  to  the  cistern 
from  the  roof  of  the  house,  and  there  is  not  sufficient  care  observed  to  maintain  this 
in  a  cleanly  condition. 

The  poor  women  living  in  the  small  rooms  on  the  ground  floor  earn  their  living 
largely  by  washing,  and  the  fact  that  the  courtyard  is  used  for  this  purpose  adds 
another  objectionable  feature  to  life  in  a  tenement  house  in  this  city. 

The  ''plumbing"  in  municipal  public  buildings,  including  schoolhouses,  is  of  the 
same  character  as  in  tenement  houses. 

A  considerable  portion  of  the  work  of  the  board  has  consisted  in  house  cleaning, 
or,  rather,  cistern  and  cesspool  cleaning. 

One  inspector  was  constantly  employed  in  visiting  the  buildings  of  the  city,  par- 
ticularly public  buildings  and  tenement  houses. 

The  number  of  cesspools  cleaned  by  the  excavating  apparatus  of  the  board 
averaged  about  25  per  month;  the  number  cleaned  by  the  owner  by  order  of  the 
board  about  20. 

The  number  of  cisterns  cleaned  by  the  board  averaged  about  10  per  month;  the 
number  cleaned  by  the  owner  by  order  of  the  board  about  15. 

The  charge  made  for  cleaning  cesspools  is  about  $2.50  per  cubic  meter;  that  for 
cleaning  cisterns  $2  per  hour. 

An  idea  of  the  size  of  some  of  these  cesspools  may  be  gained  from  the  cost  of  clean- 
ing the  four  at  the  San  Juan  jail,  which  at  the  above  rate,  was  about  $439.  Although 
each  year  an  allowance  was  made  in  the  municipal  budget  for  this  work,  it  is  prob- 
able that  they  had  never  been  thoroughly  cleaned  previously. 

The  employees  engaged  in  this  work  consist  of  1  excavator  expert,  8  prisoners, 
with  2  guards  for  same,  and  3  teamsters. 

San  Juan  proper  has  about  9  miles  of  streets,  about  4  of  which  are  paved  with  vit- 
rified brick,  and  the  remainder  with  rounded  cobble  stones. 

With  the  assistance  of  the  military  government,  which  furnished  mules,  wagons, 
and  teamsters,  it  has  been  possible  to  keep  the  streets  of  San  Juan  in  a  very  cleanly 
condition;  but  owing  to  the  absolute  worthlessness  of  the  municipal  police  as  an  aid 
in  preventing  the  throwing  of  garbage  and  other  refuse  into  the  streets,  the  best 
results  have  not  been  obtained. 

All  house  garbage  is  removed  from  the  main  streets  by  8.45  a.  m.  The  main  streets 
are  swept  twice  during  the  morning  and  twice  during  the  afternoon ;  the  other  streets 
twice  daily.  The  force  engaged  in  street  cleaning  and  the  unloading  of  wagons  at 
the  "dump"  consists  of  60  prisoners,  with  9  guards,  and  1  superintendent,  and  10 
teamsters. 

With  the  assistance  of  the  military  government  again,  the  main  streets  are  sprinkled 
twice  daily,  and  two  men,  a  driver  and  assistant,  are  employed  at  this  work.  Owing 
to  the  great  size  and  weight  of  the  street  sprinkler  several  of  the  streets  can  not  be 
sprinkled,  and  it  is  very  necessary  that  arrangements  be  made  by  which  all  the 
streets  may  be  sprinkled  before  sweeping. 

San  Juan  proper  has  about  4  miles  of  sewers,  whose  defects  are  innumerable.  That 
portion  of  the  sewer  system  between  the  ' i  poso-muro ' '  in  the  house  and  the  street 
sewer  is  simply  a  long  cesspool,  and  unless  it  rains  frequently  the  street  sewer  is  apt 
to  become  the  same.  The  house  plumbing  being  that  mentioned  above  it  can  be 
readily  understood  that  all  houses  connected  with  the  sewer  are  filled  with  sewer  gas, 
and  to  lessen  this  evil  the  city  engineer  conceived  the  idea  of  ventilating  the  sewers 
in  the  middle  of  the  street,  which  was  done,  thereby  relieving  the  houses  to  a  certain 
extent,  but  fouling  the  air  in  the  streets.  Unless  all  parts  of  a  sewer  system  can  be 
properly  flushed  it  becomes  a  nuisance,  and  the  sewer  system  of  this  city  is  a  nui- 
sance. All  waste  not  carried  off  by  the  sewer,  such  as  street  sweepings,  garbage, 
cesspool  matter,  and  condemned  foods  of  all  kinds,  is  dumped  into  the  sea  from  a 
platform  erected  on  the  ruins  of  an  old  fort  at  Puerta  de  Tierra,  about  three-fourths 
of  a  mile  from  the  city  proper.  Considerable  complaint  has  been  made  by  the  peo- 
ple of  the  city  of  the  location  of  this  dump,  principally  because  this  place  was  for- 
merly their  favorite  bathing  place.  The  efforts  of  the  superior  board  of  health  to 
induce  the  city  government  to  establish  a  crematory  met  with  no  success  and  prob- 
ably will  not  for  years  to  come. 

Recently  the  city  board  of  health  considered  a  plan  for  the  disposal  of  garbage, 
street  sweepings,  etc. ,  which  consists  of  the  removal  of  this  waste  by  boat  from  the 
city  to  Martin  Peiia,  where  it  is  proposed  to  use  it  for  filling  in  swamp  land.  It 
seems  probable  that  this  plan  will  be  adopted,  but  as  cesspool  matter  will  not  be  dis- 
posed of  in  this  way  it  seems  also  likely  that  the  present  dump  must  be  maintained. 

The  number  of  loads  of  house  garbage  and  other  refuse,  street  sweepings,  etc., 
removed  by  the  board  has  averaged  660  per  month.  The  number  of  cubic  meters  of 
cesspool  matter  removed  averaged  about  176.9  per  month. 

19709—01 11 


162       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


Our  inspector  has  devoted  his  time  to  the  inspection  of  goods  of  all  kinds,  milk, 
alcoholic  beverages,  and  the  establishments  in  which  these  articles  are  sold.  Milk, 
when  adulterated  with  water  only,  is  usually  sent  to  the  patients  at  Santa  Rosa  hos- 
pital. All  else  that  is  condemned  is  carted  to  the  dumping  station  at  Puerta  de 
Tierra  and  there  disposed  of. 

The  general  order  on  "inspection  of  cattle  and  meat,"  dated  April  10,  1900,  was 
much  needed,  and  forms  a  good  working  basis  for  the  future. 

The  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  board  from  July  1, 1899,  to  March  31, 1900,  are 
as  follows: 

Balance  on  hand  July  1, 1899 $938.  50 

Received  from  alcalde 3, 000.  00 

Excavator  earnings 3,  981.  23 

Total 7, 919.  73 

Expenditures 7,  379.  75 

Balance  on  hand  March  31 539. 98 

The  organization  of  the  board  was  based  on  the  belief  that  the  city  would  place  at 
its  disposal  $500  per  month,  and  that  about  $300  would  be  earned  per  month  by  the 
excavator.  The  averaged  monthly  earnings  of  the  excavator  have  been  $442.35;  but 
the  city  appropriation  has  been  turned  over  at  very  irregular  intervals,  and  no  money 
was  received  from  that  source  during  the  months  of  January,  February,  and  March. 

The  uncertainty  as  to  money  resources  interfered  greatly  with  the  work  of  the 
board. 

The  vaccination  of  the  people  of  this  municipality  was  very  thoroughly  done  before 
'  July  1, 1899,  by  the  medical  department  of  the  army. 

At  the  present  time  all  children  must  be  vaccinated  before  attaining  the  age  of  6 
months,  and  twice  each  year,  in  May  and  December,  free  vaccination  is  offered  to  all 
who  apply. 

There  has  been  no  case  of  smallpox  in  this  municipality  during  the  period  covered 
by  this  report. 

Owing  to  the  crowded  condition  of  the  houses,  it  is  very  necessary  that  the  city 
should  have  a  permanent  contagious-disease  hospital. 

The  infectious  diseases  with  which  the  board  was  chiefly  occupied  were  measles, 
varicella,  diphtheria,  and  tuberculosis.  In  the  case  of  the  two  former  the  plan  fol- 
lowed was,  as  a  rule,  the  removal  of  the  pers.on  infected,  together  with  all  exposed, 
to  tents  located  on  the  military  zone  near  Fort  El  Morro.  No  child  exposed  to  a  con- 
tagious disease  is  permitted  to  attend  school  until  such  time  as  the  health  officer 
grants  a  permit  for  so  doing. 

House  disinfection  was  under  the  supervision  of  the  health  officer,  and  the  disin- 
fectants used  were  mercuric  bichloride  and  sulphur. 

Owing  to  the  uncertainty  as  to  funds,  no  formaldehyde  generator  could  be  pur- 
chased, and  this  is  one  of  the  needs  of  the  board  at  the  present  time. 

During  the  months  of  February  and  March  influenza  and  varicella  appeared  in 
epidemic  form,  and  during  April,  measles.  In  February  there  were  nine  deaths  from 
influenza  and  its  complications,  and  during  March  there  were  sixteen. 

The  hospital  for  venereal  diseases  in  women  was  opened  about  one  year  ago.  It 
has  a  capacity  of  about  60  beds  and  is  pretty  well  filled  at  all  times. 

Tuberculosis  was  placed  under  the  supervision  of  the  board  of  health,  and  great 
difficulty  has  been  met  with  in  impressing  upon  physicians  the  fact  that  this  is  a  pre- 
ventable disease  and  can  be  largely  controlled  if  proper  precautions  are  taken. 

Next  to  diarrhea!  diseases,  tuberculosis  is  the  most  important  factor  in  the  high 
death  rate  in  this  city. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  deaths  from  diarrheal  diseases  and 
tuberculosis,  compared  with  the  number  of  deaths  from  all  causes,  from  July  1, 1899, 
to  April  30,  1900: 


July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

Diarrheal  disease 

7 

8 

13 

17 

18 

10 

25 

16 

26 

26 

Tuberculosis  

6 

5 

11 

13 

11 

14 

10 

15 

14 

10 

Total  

13 

13 

24 

30 

29 

24 

35 

31 

40 

36 

Total  deaths  from  all  causes  

eoT 

eT 

61 

65 

90~ 

79~ 

95~ 

89 

123 

97 

REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

Diarrheal  diseases  are  undoubtedly  largely  due  to  the  drinking  of  contaminated 
water  from  the  cisterns.  The  disfiguring  forms  of  filariasis,  as  elephantiasis  and 
lymph  scrotum,  are  also  probably  contracted  in  that  way. 

Persistent  anaemia,  or  ankylostomiasis,  while  very  common  here,  has  not  influ- 
enced the  death  rate  to  any  great  extent. 

The  population  of  the  city  being  32,555,  the  death  rate  for  the  above  ten  months 
was  30.2  per  thousand  per  annum. 

Among  the  most  important  of  the  general  orders  issued  by  the  military  governor, 
on  the  recommendation  of  the  superior  board  of  health,  as  they  effect  health  mat- 
ters in  this  city,  are  the  following: 

1.  On  contagious  and  infectious  diseases. 

2.  On  the  purity  and  wholesomeness  of  foods,  drinks,  drugs,  and  medicines. 

3.  On  burials,  disinterments,  and  transportation  of  human  bodies. 

4.  On  nuisances. 

Among  the  most  urgent  needs  of  the  city  at  present,  from  the  view  point  of  the 
board  of  health,  are  the  following: 

1.  More  available  land  for  building  purposes,  and  more  houses. 

2.  The  completion  of  the  filtering  beds  at  the  city  waterworks,  and  the  installation 
of  aqueduct  water  into  every  house  in  the  city. 

3.  The  completion  of  the  sewer  system,  with  the  improvement  of  that  already 
existing,  and  the  installation  of  modern  plumbing  into  every  house  in  San  Juan 
proper. 

4.  A  crematory  or  incinerator. 

5.  A  contagious  and  infectious  disease  hospital. 

6.  A  hospital  for  the  treatment  of  acute  diseases  and  surgical  cases,  with  whicb 
there  should  be  an  outdoor  department. 

Very  respectfully,  M.  E.  HUGHES, 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President. 

To  the  PRESIDENT  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 


APPENDIX  K. — Report  of  Board  of  Health  of  Ponce  from  March,  1899,  to  May,  1900^ 

This  board  of  health  was  organized  immediately  after  the  arrival  of  the  American 
troops  in  Ponce,  and  an  officer  was  placed  on  duty  with  it,  but  as  this  officer  was  fre- 
quently changed,  and  had  many  other  civil  as  well  as  military  duties  at  the  same  time, 
very  little  was  accomplished  in  the  way  of  organization  until  the  spring  of  1899., 
when,  on  March  25,  I  was  detailed  as  president  of  the  board  with  no  other  duties. 

At  this  time  the  city  was  very  dirty,  and  no  attempt  was  being  made  at  the  sys- 
tematic inspection  of  houses  or  food  stuffs,  or  to  control  disinfection  and  cleanliness. 

The  board  consisted  of  myself,  as  president,  Dr.  Ferran,  as  medical  officer,  Dr. 
Lavinder,  United  States  Marine-Hospital  Service,  as  member,  together  with  two  of 
the  city  councilmen,  Dr.  Vidal  and  Mr.  Bernard.  Eafael  Dapena,  the  secretary,  wag 
the  only  paid  member,  and  he  received  $15  monthly,  and  had  the  assistance  of 
another  clerk.  There  were  no  inspectors  and  practically  no  records. 

In  estimating  the  work  done  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  board  was  beset 
with  difficulties  that  probably  would  not  be  encountered  anywhere  else  in  the  world. 
The  people,  by  nature  and  long  training  dirty,  are  wholly  ignorant  of  the  simplest 
rules  of  sanitation  or  even  of  cleanliness. 

The  houses  are  for  the  most  part  but  huts  built  of  old  boards,  tin  cans,  or  bark, 
and  roofed  with  palm  leaves.  They  are  set  close  to  the  ground,  and  often  unprovided 
with  any  privy  or  cesspool,  so  that  the  inhabitants  have  to  use  the  rank  vegetation 
on  the  patio  in  lieu  of  a  regular  privy. 

The  houses  of  the  better  class  are  built  of  wood,  which  rots  quickly,  and  are  but 
little  better  from  a  sanitarian's  point  of  view;  while  the  houses  of  the  rich  are  built 
of  brick,  with  unfurred  walls  and  without  a  damp  course.  These  houses  are  about 
the  only  ones  that  contain  any  plumbing  fixtures,  and  these  are  usually,  if  not  always, 
placed  either  in  the  kitchen  or  an  adjoining  room,  while  not  a  single  fixture  in  Ponce, 
nor  even  a  system,  is  trapped,  the  waste  running  straight  from  the  fixture  to  the  cess- 
pool, which  is  usually  placed  directly  under  the  house.  The  only  good  feature  about 
these  houses  is  the  facility  with  which  they  can  be  disinfected. 

Probably  the  greatest  difficulties  that  the  board  encountered  were  the  lack  of 
money  with  which  to  do  its  work  and  the  apathy  or  open  hostility  of  the  people, 


164   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

although  towards  the  last  the  city  authorities  did  give  to  the  board  all  of  the  money 
that  could  reasonably  have  been  asked,  in  view  of  the  city's  poor  financial  condition. 

Without  a  sewer  system,  very  little  could  be  accomplished  with  the  plumbing 
problem,  and,  owing  to  the  peculiar  legal  status  of  the  city,  a  loan  for  this  purpose 
could  not  have  been  negotiated.  The  majority  of  house  owners  are  far  too  poor  to 
build  proper  privies  or  cesspools,  or  in  fact  to  do  any  sanitary  work  that  necessitates 
any  considerable  outlay  of  money. 

There  were  two  systems  of  cleaning  privies  in  vogue  at  this  time;  one,  the  removal 
of  the  excrement  to  a  hole  prepared  for  it  in  the  patio  and  near  the  privy,  thus  in 
time  converting  the  entire  patio  into  a  covered  mass  of  excrement  and  germs,  and 
the  other,  removing  the  excrement  to  the  Portuguez  River,  which  flows  on  one  side 
of  the  city  and  serves  as  a  public  laundry  and  bath.  Here,  also,  most  of  the  garbage 
of  the  city  was  dumped,  together  with  manure,  rubbish,  and  human  excrement. 
Here  the  clothing  of  40  per  cent  of  the  city  was  washed,  the  clothing  of  smallpox 
patients  often  being  washed  in  the  same  heap  or  alongside  that  of  healthy  persons, 
for  at  this  time,  it  must  be  remembered,  an  epidemic  of  smallpox  was  filling  the 
three  pesthouses  to  overflowing. 

Almost  the  first  work  of  the  board  was  the  making  of  a  careful  inspection  of  the  city, 
the  record  being  made  on  appropriate  blanks,  one  blank  for  each  house  and  show- 
ing, besides  the  names  of  the  owners  and  occupant,  full  information  as  to  the  clean- 
liness of  the  patio,  privy  house,  stable,  etc.,  the  source  of  water  supply  for  the  house, 
the  disposition  of  dirty  water,  garbage,  and  in  fact  all  data  that  might  be  of  value  in 
the  titanic  work  that  lay  before  the  board. 

A  large  map  of  the  city  was  then  prepared,  showing  the  location  of  every  house  in 
the  city,  and  the  sanitary"  condition  of  each  house.  This  was  done  by  means  of  col- 
ored papers,  a  red  paper  pinned  over  a  house  indicating  a  dirty  privy,  a  blue  paper 
a  dirty  yard,  a  yellow  paper  a  quarantined  house,  etc.,  so  that  upon  the  completion 
of  this  map  the' condition  of  the  entire  city  could  be  seen  at  a  glance,  and  the  work 
of  the  inspectors  be  seen  from  day  to  day. 

The  result  of  this  inspection  showed  about  3,000  privies  existing  in  the  city  and 
about  4,000  houses,  and  that  about  1,000  privies  needed  immediate  attention,  besides 
the  cesspools  and  dirty  yards  to  be  cleaned  and  a  number  of  infected  wells  to  be 
closed  up. 

The  work  of  cleaning  up  the  premises  occupied  about  four  months  and  was  well  in 
hand  when  the  cyclone  of  August  8  destroyed  all  the  records  of  the  board  as  well  as 
all  the  work  of  trie  inspectors,  and  left  the  city  covered  with  from  2  inches  to  5  feet 
of  mud  and  refuse,  dead  animals,  and  corpses. 

The  work  of  cleaning  up  the  city  was  divided  between  the  city  architect  and  the 
board  of  health,  and  was  practically  completed  within  a  month. 

Immediately  after  the  cyclone  each  ward  of  the  city  was  subdivided  and  the  force 
of  inspectors  augmented  to  about  twenty.  Some  of  these  made  house-to-house  inspec- 
tions; others  were  in  charge  of  working  parties  removing  mud  and  debris  from  under 
and  around  the  houses  of  the  poor  and  disinfecting  same.  Some  were  scouring  the 
«ountry  looking  for  bodies  of  the  dead  and  burning  or  burying  them,  supervising  the 
distribution  of  food  to  the  starving,  preparing  lists  of  missing,  etc.  One  was  in  charge 
4>f  the  cemetery  with  its  work  of  disinfection  and  burial  and  yet  others  had  clerical 
rork  in  the  office  to  do  or  food  to  distribute. 

Without  going  into  the  details  of  the  gradual  crystallization  of  the  present  methods 
of  the  board,  it  will  perhaps  be  sufficient  to  say  that  these  methods  were  not  all  put 
into  operation  at  any  one  time,  but  that  each  new  thing  was  introduced  as  soon  as 
the  last  had  been  thoroughly  understood. 

The  board  as  it  is  now  composed  consists  of  Mr.  Jose  Guzman  Benitez,  the  alcalde, 
as  president;  Dr.  Luis  Agrerevere  as  medical  officer  and  secretary,  and  the  chief  of 
instruction  and  the  chief  of  charities  as  members. 

It  employs  1  chief  of  inspectors,  7  inspectors,  1  meat  inspector,  and  in  the  collection 
and  disposition  of  garbage,  1  foreman  and  4  laborers  (burning  garbage),  8  wagons 
and  16  laborers  with  same  (collecting  garbage). 

It  is  in  charge  of  a  quarantine  hospital,  and  exercises  supervision  over  the  slaughter- 
house, two  cemeteries,  the  schools,  both  public  and  private,  and  all  city  institutions 


The  city  is  divided  into  seven  wards,  or  as  they  are  called,  " sanitary  barrios,"  and 
to  each  barrio  an  inspector  is  assigned  and  held  accountable  for  the  condition  of  that 
barrio. 

He  visits  every  house  in  his  district  once  in  each  fortnight,  and  reports  its  condition 
on  a  form  provided  for  that  purpose.  Besides  this,  he  makes  a  daily  inspection  of  all 
milk  deposits  in  his  barrio  and  all  stores  where  food  is  exposed  for  sale.  Milk  or 
other  articles  which  might  be  adulterated  and  which  he  regards  as  suspicious  are 
submitted  to  chemical  analysis  by  the  city  chemist,  and  decayed  or  unwholesome 


KEPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        165 

foodstuffs  to  the  medical  officer  of  the  board.  When,  in  his  inspection,  an  inspector 
finds  a  person  sick  and  without  medical  attendance,  a  city  physician  is  sent  immedi- 
ately to  report  the  nature  of  the  illness  and  to  attend  to  the  sick. 

Iii  this  way  the  board  has  often  located  smallpox  and  other  contagious  diseages, 
and  has  prevented  their  spread. 

All  licensed  physicians  are  provided  by  the  board  with  blank  forms  for  a  weekly 
report  of  their  cases,  and  these  are  combined  into  the  weekly  report  to  the  superior 
board  of  health. 

Besides  these  weekly  reports,  all  physicians  are  provided  with  a  stub  book  for  the 
immediate  report  of  contagious  diseases.  This  book  has  two  blank  reports  for  each 
case  reported.  One  of  these  is  sent  in  within  twenty-four  hours  of  the  first  attend- 
ance, and  the  other  when  the  patient  dies,  is  cured  and  past  the  danger  point,  or 
when  the  patient  passes  into  other  hands,  such  as  when  he  is  sent  to  a  hospital  or  out 
of  the  city.  A  stub  is  kept  which  shows  all  of  the  same  information. 

When  these  reports  are  received  in  the  office,  they  are  entered  in  a  book,  each  class 
of  illness  being  kept  separate,  so  that  the  entire  number  of  such  cases  existing  in  the 
city  on  any  given  day  can  be  ascertained  with  great  facility,  and  the  date  and  manner 
of  disinfection  upon  the  recovery  or  death  of  the  patient.  This  disinfection  is  done 
by  the  inspectors  themselves,  under  the  direction  of  the  medical  officer  of  the  board, 
and  is  always  thoroughly  performed 

The  usual  method  of  disinfection  is  to  thoroughly  scrape  floors  and  walls  and  then 
sprinkle  them  with  a  1  to  1,000  solution  of  bichloride  of  mercury,  fumigate  with 
sulphur,  and  then  rewhitewash  the  walls.  The  clothing  and  bedding  are  burned, 
together  with  bandages  and  other  infected  clothing  and  cloths,  and  the  bed  washed 
with  a  bichloride  solution. 

The  privy  is  then  cleaned,  disinfected  with  quicklime,  and  the  privy  house  white- 
washed, and  a  general  cleaning  is  given  the  premises. 

In  cases  of  smallpox  or  chicken  pox  the  neighbors  for  a  distance  of  two  blocks  are 
all  vaccinated  and  closely  watched. 

The  prevalence  of  so-called  chicken  pox  in  adults  warrants  the  same  precaution  in 
such  cases  as  in  smallpox,  as  the  native  physician  is  not  always  a  reliable  diagnostician. 

The  garbage  of  the  city  of  Ponce  is  very  badly  mixed,  running  from  kitchen  refuse 
to  bottles,  tin  cans,  and  manure,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  handle  in  a  furnace  or 
crematory,  and  would  produce  no  salable  refuse,  because  of  the  almost  complete 
absence  of  meat  or  other  greasy  component. 

The  garbage  is  collected  in  eight  wagons,  each  wagon  having  a  route  from  1  mile 
to  1J  miles  in  length.  - 

Besides  the  driver,  each  wagon  carries  a  helper,  who  is  provided  with  a  street 
broom,  a  shovel,  and  a  hoe. 

In  order  to  expedite  the  work  of  collection  among  the  smaller  houses,  where  the 
daily  refuse  is  very  inconsiderable,  large  galvanized  iron  cans  are  placed  along  the 
streets  at  intervals  of  about  50  yards,  and  the  occupants  of  the  neighboring  houses 
are  required  to  bring  their  refuse  to  these  cans;  nor  is  the  driver  allowed,  in  the 
parts  of  the  city  so  provided,  to  stop  at  the  individual  houses  or  to  receive  garbage 
therefrom. 

Similar  cans,  with  appropriate  signs  painted  on  their  sides,  are  placed  in  the  plazas 
and  market  to  receive  fruit  peelings,  cocoanuts,  and  similar  refuse. 

In  the  residence  portion  of  the  city  the  people  are  required  to  provide  themselves 
with  suitable  receptacles  for  their  garbage,  which  the  cart  receives  directly  from  the 
houses,  provided  that  the  can  is  clean;  otherwise  the  driver  refuses  to  accept  the 
garbage  until  the  can  has  been  cleaned. 

Usually  all  houses  in  the  city  are  visited  daily  by  the  wagon,  but  in  some  parts  of 
the  city,  owing  to  the  length  of  the  route,  the  collection  is  made  on  alternate  days. 

Due  to  the  absence  of  slops  and  grease  and  to  the  presence  of  dried  grass,  leaves., 
rubbish,  etc.,  the  public  cans  seldom  require  cleaning,  but  when  a  dirty  can  is  found 
it  is  taken  up  and  replaced  by  a  clean  one,  the  dirty  can  being  afterwards  cleaned 
and  disinfected. 

The  broom,  shovel,  and  hoe  are  used  to  collect  any  garbage  that  may  have  been 
spilled  about  the  can,  and  also  in  cleaning  the  wagon  at  the  end  of  each  trip. 

The  sea  at  Ponce  being  too  distant  and  too  shallow  to  allow  of  disposing  of  refuse 
therein,  it  was  determined  to  burn  it  in  the  open  air,  and  in  the  selection  of  a  suit- 
able point  the  chief  governing  facts  were  a  constant  wind  which  blows  over  the  city 
in  a  westerly  or  northwesterly  direction,  together  with  the  topographical  features  of 
the  river  on  the  east,  mountains  on  the  north,  and  another  city  (Playa)  on  the 
south,  while  to  the-west  lay  open  country,  well  drained  and  reached  by  an  excellent 
macadamized  road.  All  of  these  conditions  lead  to  the  selection  of  the  present  site 
for  the  final  disposition  plant  on  a  piece  of  municipal  ground  about  2  kilometers 
west  of  the  city  hall. 

This  lot  is  the  only  spot  near  the  city  where  lumping  is  allowed,  and  is  in  charge 


166       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

of  a  foreman  and  four  peons.  It  is  a  long,  narrow  lot  running  up  the  mountain 
side.  It  is  sheltered  from  the  road  by  a  high  hedge,  and  is  used  for  the  disposition 
of  the  refuse  from  cesspools  as  well  as  "the  garbage  of  the  city. 

A  road  was  built  alongside  of  this  lot,  and  another  connecting  the  city  with  it,  in 
order  to  avoid  using  the  main  streets  of  the  city. 

The  portion  of  the  lot  devoted  to  garbage  was  subdivided  into  a  number  of  sections, 
one  of  which  is  devoted  to  the  reception  of  garbage,  another  to  street  sweepings,  and 
yet  another  to  bottles,  tin  cans,  etc.,  while  the  rest,  except  the  part  used  for  privy 
dumpings,  is  allowed  to  lie  unused. 

All  rubbish  brought  to  the  lot,  whether  by  city  wagons  or  by  individuals,  is 
deposited  under  the  direction  of  the  foreman  on  the  subdivision  allotted  to  its  class, 
and  there  it  is  spread  out  and  turned  over  by  the  peons  and  allowed  to  dry  for  one 
day,  when  it  is  burned. 

After  this  subdivision  is  covered  with  ashes  to  a  uniform  depth  of  about  5  inches 
it  H  raked  over,  and  all  tin  cans,  wire,  bottles,  etc.,  are  removed  to  the  portion  of  the 
lot  devoted  to  their  reception,  and  there  buried.  The  garbage  is  then  dumped  in 
another  portion  and  the  street  sweepings,  which  are  fairly  clean  earth,  are  dumped 
on  top  of  the  ashes  and  then  spread  out  by  the  peons. 

The  general  appearance  of  the  lot  is  good  at  all  times,  being  neat  and  orderly,  and 
it  is  wholly  free  from  odors. 

The  smoke  from  the  fires  is  blown  by  the  wind  up  the  mountain,  which,  at  this 
point,  is  uninhabited. 

Those  cesspools  whose  contents  are  liquid  enough  are  pumped  out  with  an  odorless 
excavator,  and  those  too  solid  are  cleaned  with  buckets  and  a  patent  odorless  barrel 
with  screw  top. 

After  being  cleaned  the  sides  of  the  privies  are  dusted  with  quicklime,  and  a  quan- 
tity of  the  same  material  is  placed  in  the  bottom. 

The  contents  removed  are  carried  to  the  disposition  lot  and  deposited  in  trenches 
made  of  brick  and  lined  with  cement,  where  they  are  covered  with  about  5  inches  of 
powdered  quicklime. 

The  liquid  which  runs  from  the  trenches  is  conducted  to  a  filter,  and  from  the  filter 
to  a  small  set  of  irrigating  trenches. 

The  trenches  in  which  the  excrement  is  placed  are  built  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  with 
a  generous  fall  to  the  filter.  They  are  in  two  groups  of  four  trenches  each,  connected 
at  their  lower  end  by  a  transverse  trench,  at  the  lowest  point  of  which  is  placed  the 
filter. 

They  are  about  1  foot  deep,  and  at  the  top  they  are  about  3  feet  broad ;  at  the  bot- 
tom they  are  about  3  feet  wide.  They  are  built  of  brick  set  on  edge  and  laid  in  Port- 
land cement,  and  the  whole  top  surface  is  grouted  with  one-fourth  inch  of  the  same 
material,  hand  troweled,  and  smoothed. 

The  filter  is  built  of  brick,  lined  inside  and  out  with  cement,  and  filled  with  a  grad- 
uating filtering  medium  of  sand,  gravel,  and  coal.  It  is  built  in  two  parts,  which  are 
used  alternately,  each  half  being  provided  with  independent  inlet  and  outlet  valves, 
so  that  in  using  it  each  half  can  be  filled  with  sewage,  which,  in  percolating  down- 
ward carries  with  it  the  air  necessary  for  the  life  of  the  microorganisms  upon  which 
it  depends  for  its  efficiency. 

After  having  lain  in  the  trenches  for  about  ten  days  the  excrement,  under  the  com- 
bined influence  of  the  sun  and  lime,  is  converted  into  a  hard,  dry,  inoffensive  cake, 
and  is  sold  to  planters  as  a  fertilizer. 

The  whole  plant  is  without  any  disagreeable  odor,  and  is  as  free  as  possible  from 
any  disease-breeding  conditions. 

The  work  is  all  done  by  agents  of  the  board,  and  a  charge  of  $3.50  (gold)  is  made 
for  every  cubic  meter  of  excrement  removed. 

The  conditions  following  the  cyclone  of  last  year  made  the  work  of  the  board  very 
much  harder,  and  the  vital  statistics  show  that  even  as  late  as  June  30,  1900,  the 
deaths  that  may  be  laid  at  the  door  of  that  awful  calamity  had  not  all  been  counted. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

H.  E.  EAMES, 
First  Lieutenant,  Eleventh  Infantry,  ex-President  Board  of  Health. 

The  following  report,  which  was  received  three  months  after  the  military  govern- 
ment ct  ased,  but  before  the  completion  of  the  leport  of  this  board,  is  inserted  by  i  i-r- 
n  ission  of  the  writer,  and  illustrates  the  necessity  for  a  strong  hand  in  the  enforce  im  nt 
of  sanitary  laws. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  E.,  July  30,  WOO. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  on  the  existing  conditions  in 
Ponce: 

In  accordance  with  a  request  from  the  acting  governor  and  a  resolution  of  the  supe- 
rior board  of  health,  I  proceeded  to  Ponce  on  July  20,  and  for  six  days  was  busy  in 


EEPOET  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        167 

making  a  very  thorough  investigation  of  all  facts  that  seemed  to  bear  on  the  causes 
of  the  enormous  mortality  that  has  been  the  rule  for  many  weeks,  and  in  this  con- 
nection took  the  opportunity  to  make  a  minute  examination  of  the  sanitary  condi- 
tion in  general.  In  this  inquiry  I  have  received  every  possible  assistance  from  the 
.  officials  of  the  town  and  from  prominent  citizens,  native  and  American,  who  have 
the  interests  of  the  people  at  heart,  and  no  source  of  information  has  been  withheld 
from  me. 

I  believe  that  it  is  safe  to  assert  that  there  are  now  in  Ponce  3,000  persons  who  are 
either  willfully  or  unavoidably  destitute,  and  it  is  a  painful  truth  that  the  number  of 
the  first  class  is  a  large  one.  Innumerable  instances  could  be  given  where  the  offer  of 
a  full  day's  food  for  self  and  family  in  exchange  for  a  trifling  amount  of  labor  has  been 
refused  by  persons  well  able  to  do  what  was  demanded,  and  it  is  folly  to  allow  our  sen- 
timental emotion  to  blind  us  to  this  very  important  feature  of  the  case.  Of  this  crowd 
of  destitute  people  a  very  large  proportion  is  composed  of  waifs  and  strays  from  every 
district  of  the  island,  but  I  found  it  impossible  to  obtain  an  accurate  ratio  of  Ponce- 
nos  proper  to  outsiders.  Many  of  these  waifs  have  been  in  Ponce  more  than  the  six 
months  requisite  for  municipal  naturalization,  and  can  now  claim  a  certain  right  to 
be  supported  by  Ponce,  and  this  is  a  serious  factor  in  the  situation.  A  steady  stream 
flows  into  Ponce  from  every  point,  and  it  is  practically  impossible  to  close  all  roads 
against  the  unwelcome  visitors.  Arrived  in  the  city,  these  vagrants  find  themselves 
homeless,  friendless,  hungry,  and  often  sick ;  but,  having  a  vague  idea  that  they  have 
only  to  ask  and  then  receive,  they  wander  about  the  streets  begging  and  have  no 
hesitation  in  taking  possession  of  hallways  and  other  accessible  places  as  sleeping 
rooms  or  closets  as  the  case  may  be. 

As  in  all  Spanish- American  towns  the  trade  of  begging  has  always  been  recognized 
here  as  legitimate,  and  it  is  easy  to  imagine  what  a  frightful  nuisance  is  caused  by 
the  addition  of  these  outside  hordes  to  the  normal  population  of  beggars.  Personal 
decency  being  practically  unknown  in  this  class,  and  bowel  complaint  being  the  prin- 
cipal sickness,  the  imagination  may  be  left  to  picture  the  state  of  affairs  in  a  city 
devoid  of  all  public  conveniences. 

Now  to  meet  the  needs  of  this  huge  mass  of  sick  and  destitute,  we  find  a  chronic 
state  of  municipal  poverty,  and  at  the  time  of  my  visit  there  was  less  than  $100  in 
the  city  treasury.  The  cash  in  hand  has  fallen  as  low  as  75  cents,  and  the  alcalde  told 
me  that  he  could  see  no  near  prospect  of  refilling  the  empty  coffers.  This  being  the 
case,  private  charity  has  been  the  only  resource,  and  very  nobly  has  the  appeal  been 
answered.  But  this  stream  of  charity  is  necessarily  a  limited  one,  and  as  the  field 
to  be  enriched  by  it  was  a  constantly  enlarging  one,  it  was  felt  that  some  plan  must 
be  devised  to  bring  the  supply  and  demand  into  a  correct  relation.  To  such  an 
extent  had  the  mortality  increased  that  the  deaths  for  the  week  ending  July  1,  1900, 
were  134,  the  death  rate  being  the  phenomenal  one  of  123  per  thousand  per  annum. 
By  far  the  greater  part  of  this  awful  death  rate  was  due  to  anaemia  or  to  various 
gastro-intestinal  troubles,  and  a  singularly  large  proportion  of  deaths  occurred  among 
those  from  30  to  45  years  of  age. 

It  is  evident  that  by  allowing  matters  to  take  their  course  the  whole  question  as  to 
the  destitute  would  be  speedily  settled  by  extinction  of  the  species,  but  as  this  could 
not  be  thought  of,  a  special  effort  has  recently  been  made,  and  a  committee  of  twenty- 
five  leading  citizens  has  been  organized  to  take  hold  of  the  problem,  and  has  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  a  considerable  sum  of  money  for  a  relief  fund.  No  decision  has 
yet  been  reached  as  to  the  best  means  of  distribution  of  this  fund,  but  I  have  some 
reason  to  hope  that  a  definite  plan  will  be  adopted  within  the  next  few  days  which 
will  go  far  toward  a  permanent  and  equitable  settlement  of  the  problem. 

In  the  course  of  my  investigations  I  found  that  the  quality  of  much  of  the  food 
sold  in  small  stores  to  the  poor  was  very  inferior,  and  in  the  depot  of  the  local  board 
of  charity,  in  the  alcaldia,  there  was  a  large  amount  of  codfish  on  hand  which  was 
absolutely  putrid.  I  directed  its  immediate  destruction,  and  the  nonissue  of  all 
tainted^food  in  future.  Much  of  this  stuff  has  been  devoured  in  a  raw  state,  and  it 
is,  I  think,  true  that  the  practice  has  been  the  cause  of  much  of  the  intestinal  dis- 
eases lately  prevalent. 

The  means  at  the  disposal  of  the  authorities  are  ridiculously  inadequate  to  deal 
with  the  question  properly,  and  the  hospital  accommodation  can  not  be  increased 
beyond  its  present,  limits.  More  than  200  beds  are  now  in  constant  use  in  the  hos- 
pital, which  is  intended  for  only  150,  and  any  temporary  arrangements,  such  as  now 
prevail,  are  only  hospitals  in  name  and  afford  nothing 'beyond  a  dirty  shelter  from 
the  weather. 

The  old  smallpox  hospital,  which  is  now  utilized  as  a  refuge  for  the  poor,  is  a  mis- 
erable wooden  shanty,  divided  in  the  middle  by  a  partition  supposed  to  separate  the 
sexes,  and  inhabited,'  in  addition  to  the  patients,  by  flocks  of  pigeons,  numerous  dogs 
and  poultry,  and  a  few  stray  pigs.  On  the  day  of  my  visit  there  was  no  water  sup- 
ply, and  the  reason  was  said  to  be  that  the  pipe  was  blocked  up  with  sediment,  a 


168   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

frequent  occurrence  in  the  town,  but  especially  here  where  the  pipe  from  which  the 
kitchen  was  supplied  is  only  one-fourth  inch  in  diameter.  As  a  matter  of  course 
the  privy  was  in  close  relation  to  the  kitchen,  but  of  its  exact  state  I  can  not  speak, 
the  door  being  thickly  covered  with  excrement  and  the  floor  so  befouled  that  it  was 
impossible  to  approach  with  safety.  The  kitchen  was  disgustingly  filthy,  and  only 
urgent  hunger  would  justify  the  eating  of  any  food  issuing  from  it.  This  loathsome 
place  is  supposed  to  be  visited  daily  by  a  physician,  and  it  is  melancholy  to  think 
that  such  barbarous  conditions  should  exist  without  any  attempt  at  improvement. 

Now,  as  to  the  practical  remedy  for  this  distressing  situation.  First,  there  should 
be  an  equitable  enforcement  of  the  tax  collection.  The  amount  of  taxes  paid  by  men 
in  Ponce  is  largely  dependent  upon  their  particular  brand  of  politics,  and  the  carry- 
ing out  of  any  sanitary  measures  is  likewise  hedged  about  with  political  difficulties. 
This  sounds  preposterous,  but  it  is  strictly  true,  and  even  in  the  matter  of  charity  the 
attempt  has  been  made  to  introduce  a  flavor  of  politics,  happily  without  success. 
Next,  the  health  officer  of  a  community  of  such  a  size  as  Ponce  ought  not  to  hold  the 
appointment  as  a  mere  side  issue,  to  be  attended  to  at  his  convenience,  but  he  ought 
to  be  a  man  receiving  a  decent  salary,  and  who  has  sufficient  backbone  to  act  irre- 
spective of  personal  and  political  leanings.  Next,  vagrancy  and  street  begging 
should  be  put  dowrn  with  a  stern  hand,  thus  leaving  the  road  more  open  to  give  assist- 
ance to  the  really  deserving.  Finally,  let  a  "poor  farm"  be  established  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  city,  and  confine  relief  absolutely  to  those  on  the  farm,  where  a  suitable 
amount  of  work  should  be  exacted  from  every  capable  inmate.  Let  the  system  of 
giving  something  for  nothing  be  at  once  abolished  in  all  cases  but  those  really  sick, 
and  let  it  be  clearly  understood  that  those  who  refused  offered  work  shall  not  be  con- 
sidered as  having  rights  that  the  community  is  bound  to  respect. 

The  expense  of  starting  a  farm  and  of  furnishing  seeds  would  be  very  small,  and  as 
the  work  test  would  eliminate  a  large  portion  of  the  applicants  for  relief  I  am  confi- 
dent that  the  public  and  private  charitable  funds  will  be  sufficient  to  meet  the  cost 
until  the  place  is  self-supporting  or  even  productive  of  a  surplus.  The  news  of  the 
new  style  of  things  would  be  carried  over  the  island  in  a  few  days,  and  the  streams 
of  immigration  would  be  checked  at  their  sources.  Meantime  the  mortality  would 
still  be  great,  and  the  death  of  the  hopelessly  incurables  would  greatly  relieve  the 
situation.  I  had  thought  that  a  system  of  deportation  to  their  homes  of  these  pauper 
immigrants  might  be  carried  out,  but  I  soon  found  that  it  was  quite  impossible  on 
many  grounds,  and  that  the  only  available  course  is  to  meet  those  immigrants  outside 
the  city  and  turn  back  all  who  object  to  go  to  the  farm  and  work.  This  can  easily  be 
done  by  the  present  force  of  police  of  the  town,  and  the  insular  police  would  doubt- 
lessly agree  to  assist  their  city  brethren  by  dealing  with  those  outside.  Unless  some 
plan  of  this  kind  is  adopted  I  see  no  prospect  of  any  permanent  good  being  done. 
The  country  is  already  pauperized  to  an  alarming  extent,  and  the  time  has  arrived 
for  the  laying  aside  of  sentiment  and  a  perfervid  humanitarianism,  and  the  adoption 
of  the  practical  rule  ' '  The  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number. ' ' 

Not  only  must  the  present  miserable  conditions  be  faced  and  met,  but  the  grave 
menace  to  the  community  that  is  caused  by  the  presence  of  this  huge  mass  of  pau- 
pers is  a  matter  of  the  most  earnest  consideration.  Ponce  is  ripe  for  an  outbreak  of 
epidemic  disease;  all  the  conditions  for  this  are  favorable,  and  only  a  spark  is  needed 
to  start  a  conflagration  of  death  whose  limits  can  not  be  foretold.  Let  an  epidemic 
once  break  out  and  the  removal  of  the  sick  would  be  impossible,  and  the  citizens  of 
Ponce  would  be  in  a  position  of  great  danger. 

By  the  removal  of  the  dangerous  material  to  a  suitable  location,  the  city  would  be 
rendered  comparatively  safe,  and  in  the  case  of  an  epidemic  among  the  inmates  of 
the  poorhouse,  medical  assistance  could  be  rendered  with  some  prospects  of  good 
results.  At  present  it  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  the  medical  attendance  for  the 
sick  poor  outside  the  hospital  is  a  ghastly  farce,  and  very  few  indeed  of  those  brought 
in  for  burial  have  ever  been  seen  by  a  doctor  until  they  were  dumped  like  dead  dogs 
into  the  receiving  room  at  the  cemetery.  I  may  say  here  that  the  proceedings  in 
connection  with  the  reception  and  interment  of  the  dead  are  a  scandal  and  disgrace 
to  any  community  calling  itself  civilized,  but  matters  have  been  so  for  years,  and 
there  is  no  demand  on  the  part  of  the  public  for  a  change  of  methods.  During  the 
administration  of  the  health  board  by  Lieutenant  Eames  the  sanitary  state  of  Ponce 
was  a  steadily  improving  one,  but  so  soon  as  his  firm  and  wise  rule  ceased  the  old 
conditions  were  allowed  to  reappear,  and  to-day  the  actual  state 'of  things  must  be 
seen  and  smelled  to  be  realized.  In  my  report  to  the  superior  board  of  health  I  have 
dealt  fully  with  the  purely  sanitary  question  involved,  and  a  copy  of  it  will  be  sent 
as  soon  as  it  is  completed. 

Very  respectfully,  WM.  FAWCETT  SMITH, 

Secretary  Superior  Board  of  Health  of  Porto  Rico. 

Hon.  WILLIAM  ELLIOTT, 

Commissioner  of  Interior. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        169 

APPENDIX  L. — Sanitary  survey  of  Arecibo. 


The  broken  fines  on 
map  represent  the 
present  sewage  system 
of  Arecibo,  P.R. 


170       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  following  description  of  Arecibo  is  typical  of  the  conditions  throughout  the 
island.  It  serves  to  illustrate  a  few  of  the  difficulties  necessarily  encountered  by 
health  officers: 

Situation:  On  the  northwest  coast  of  the  island  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

Elevation  above  the  sea:  From  sea  level  to  11.88  meters  at  highest  point. 

How  most  conveniently  reached:  (1)  By  French  railroad  from  San  Juan,  good; 
(2)  by  same  road  from  Camuy;  (3)  there  is  a  road  in  fair  condition  running  east  and 
west  along  the  coast,  good  for  wagons;  (4)  from  Utuado  and  Lares  there  are  fair 
roads,  the  former  a  wagon  road. 

General  character  of  surrounding  country:  A  level  plain. in  most  part  of  alluvial 
material,  very  fertile.  Much  of  the  material  of  this  plain  has  been  brought  down 
from  the  mountains  by  the  Rio  Grande. 

Nature  of  soil  and  underlying  rock:  (1)  The  soil  is  alluvial,  mixed  with  sand.  In 
places  there  is  clay  sufficient  for  brickmaking.  (2)  The  underlying  rock  is  a  porous 
coral  limestone.  In  places  a  conglomerate  (sand  rock)  cemented  with  iron  oxide  is 
found. 

Ground  water  is  found  at  what  depth?    At  sea  level,  from  1  to  30  feet. 

Temperature  in  summer:  Maximum,  33°  C. ;  minimum,  27°  C.  Temperature  in 
winter:  Maximum,  26°  C. ;  minimum,  22°  C.  Remarks  on  temperature:  Never  frost. 
Never  sudden  changes. 

Dry  season  extends  from  January  to  May;  wet  season  extends  from  May  to 
December. 

Violent  storms:  At  what  season  do  they  most  frequently  occur  and  at  what  inter- 
vals? •  At  intervals  of  years,  in  July  and  November.  There  is  no  special  season  for 
rains.  Most  frequent  in  September  and  June. 

Total  population  of  city:  14,685;  count  made  by  Hospital  Corps  men. 

Number  of  houses  in  city,  979;  number  houses  unfit  for  use,  213;  number  houses 
with  no  closet  accommodations,  762;  average  number  persons  to  a  house,  15;  aver- 
age number  families  to  a  house,  3;  number  families  living  in  one  room,  1. 

Sanitary  condition  of  portions  of  city  wrhere  poorest  people  live:  The  streets  are 
kept  clean,  but  the  shacks  in  which  the  poor  live  are  very  dirty  and  without  closets. 
Excreta  are  thrown  along  the  beach  and  produce  a  horrible  stench.  There  are  some 
very  dirty  alleys  in  the  districts  wrhere  the  poor  live.  The  back  yards,  wrhich  here 
exist  to  some  extent,  are  in  a  very  dirty  condition. 

Remarks  on  possible  improvements:'  There  are  two  districts,  one  along  the  sea  on 
the  north,  the  other  along  the  river  on  the  south,  where  the  houses  are  so  small,  the 
alleys  so  narrow,  the  whole  districts  so  unutterably  filthy,  that  Arecibo  for  her  own 
credit  should  have  the  two  districts  completely  cleared  of  houses,  the  streets  widened, 
and  the  new  houses  built  on  modern  ideas.  This  work  should  be  ordered  on  sanitary 
grounds. 

Until  each  house  has  a  closet  of  its  own,  public  closets  should  be  erected  in  the 
two  poor  districts  of  the  city. 

Streets,  general  condition:  On  the  1st  of  March,  1899,  there  were  a  number  of  the 
streets  in  bad  condition.  Since  that  date  considerable  work  has  been  done  on  them 
and  all  the  principal  ones  are  now  in  very  fair  condition.  Some  of  the  smaller  ones 
are  still  in  need  of  attention. 

How  paved?  All  the  principal  streets  are  macadamized  and  in  good  condition. 
Some  of  the  smaller  ones  have  only  earth  bottoms. 

How  often  are  the  streets  swept?    Three  times  a  week.     They  are  kept  quite  clean. 

Sidewalks:  There  is  considerable  repairing  needed  in  case  of  the  sidewalks,  and  the 
attention  of  the  alcalde  was  called  to  them. 

Are  any  dangers  to  life  or  limb  observable  in  streets  or  sidewalks?  Along  the  river 
were  places  where  a  wagon  might  upset.  There  were  many  holes  in  the  sidewalks 
where  a  person  might  fall  on  a  dark  night. 

Remarks  on  streets  and  sidewalks:  The  streets  where  the  shacks  exist  should  be 
widened.  The  sidewalks  should  all  be  repaired.  An  order  should  be  issued  pro- 
hibiting the  throwing  of  litter  into  the  streets. 

Sewers:  The  two  streets  leading  from  the  hospital  to  the  Plaza  de  la  Cruz  have 
sewers.  They  are  only  rain  sewers,  however. 

What  is  the  nature  and  condition  of  house  connections?  There  are  thought  to  be 
practically  none.  A  few  exist  which  are  wholly  untrapped. 

Where  do  the  public  sewers  discharge?  Into  the  river  on  the  south  side  of  the 
town,  Rio  Santiago. 

Where  do  private  sewers  discharge?  Into  cesspools  in  the  yards,  or,  in  some  cases, 
under  the  houses  themselves.  ,  A  few  into  the  public  sewer. 

How  are  sewers  constructed,  and  what  is  their  general  condition?  Of  brick,  and 
condition  good. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        171 

Is  the  surface  drainage  efficient?  Yes;  Arecibo  is  well  situated  for  surface  drain- 
age; and  also  for  underground  sewers. 

What  is  the  general  condition  of  plumbing  in  the  town?  There  is  practically  none, 
so  far  as  is  known.  A  very  little  of  crude  kind  exists. 

Remarks  on  sewers:  It  will  be  quite  an  easy  matter  to  sewer  Arecibo,  which  will 
follow  the  introduction  of  the  new  water  supply.  If  the  people  are  wise,  they  will 
attend  to  this  at  an  early  date,  and  compel  all  property  owners  to  connect  with  same 
and  to  abandon  all  privies  and  cesspools  in  town. 

Garbage,  cesspools,  privies:  What  is  the  general  condition  of  privies  and  cesspools? 
Generally  very  bad. 

Where  are  the  privies  situated?    Generally  in  or  adjoining  the  kitchen. 

How  often,  on  the  average,  are  they  cleaned?  Apparently  never.  They  are  made 
so  large  that  through  drainage  and  evaporation  they  never  become  full. 

How  is  the  garbage  and  waste  of  the  city  disposed  of?  Carried  in  carts  to  a  dump- 
ing ground  on  the  north  of  the  city,  along  the  sea. 

Where  is  the  garbage  and  waste  dumped?  Along  the  sea,  on  the  northwest  of  the 
town. 

What  is  the  condition  of  the  garbage  dump?  Except  that  the  dump  is  too  near 
the  city,  no  complaint  can  be  made. 

Remarks  on  policing  city:  Dead  animals  are  thrown  out  along  the  beach  and  left 
un  buried  and  are  very  offensive,  as  people  bathe  in  the  ocean  at  this  point.  This 
should  be  prohibited. 

Water  supply:  At  present  cisterns  to  all  the  better  houses.  Also  from  the  river  on 
the  north  of  the  city.  There  is  now  in  course  of  construction  public  waterworks 
upon  a  tributary  of  the  Rio  Grande,  at  a  point  about  4  miles  above  the  city,  from 
which  an  ample  supply  of  wholesome  water  will  soon  be  obtained.  At  this  writing 
the  work  has  ceased  for  lack  of  funds. 

Does  the  quality  vary  at  different  seasons?    It  is  thought  not. 

Amount  of  wrater  supply:  Is  the  supply  unfailing?  The  new  supply  will  be 
unfailing.  The  cisterns  often  fail,  and  water  is  sold  in  the  city  from  ox  carts.  This 
was  true  in  1899. 

Is  there  ever  a  total  failure  of  the  water  supply?    No.     Two  unfailing  rivers  flow 
by  the  city.     There  is  no  public  supply  at  present. 
'How  are  the  poorest  people  supplied  with  water?    They  carry  it  from  the  river. 

17.  What  are  the  bathing  facilities  in  the  community?    Excellent,  if  they  would 
use  them.     They  have  a  river  on  the  south,  the  ocean  on  the  north,  and  ocean  and 
river  meet  on  the  east.     They  seldom  bathe  in  either,  however. 

Suggestions  on  improvement  of  water  supply:  The  mountain  water  should  be 
introduced  as  soon  as  possible.  Public  hydrants  should  be  at  every  street  corner 
for  the  use  of  the  poor.  Arrangements  should  be  made  for  a  sufficient  number  of 
fire  plugs. 

18.  The  cathedral:  Sanitary  condition  of  and  of  all  its  surroundings:  The  cathedral 
is  in  good  repair- and  good  sanitary  condition.    There  is  some  carelessness  in  keeping 
the  pavement  outside  free  from  litter. 

19.  The  court-house  is  located  in  the  ayuntamiento.     General  sanitary  condition 
of  court  room  itself  good.     Closets  filthy,  and  no  real  effort  to  keep  them  clean. 
They  are  the  same  closets  used  by  municipal  officers. 

20.  Town  hall  is  located  in  center  of  city,  facing  the  plaza.     General  sanitary  con- 
dition: It  is  dirty  all  the  time.     Condition  of  closets  filthy.     State  all  purposes  to 
which  town  hall  is  put.     (1)  Court-house,  (2)  city  hall  and  all  city  offices  are  in  it, 
also  council  chamber,  (3)  jail,   (4)  police  station,  (5)  public  library,  (6)  emergency 
station  where  all  accidents  are  treated  before  being  sent  to  hospital,  (7)  public 
meetings,  balls,  etc. 

21.  The  market,     Located  on  Plaza  Montezuma.     Is  there  a  market  house?    No; 
it  is  held  in  open  air.     Sanitary  condition,  excellent.     Name  market  days.     Seven 
days  in  week  from  5  a.  m.  to  12  m.     What  improvements  are  suggested?    A  good 
market  house. 

22.  What  food  inspections  are  practiced?    Cattle  are  inspected  before  they  are 
killed,  and  branded  if  considered  fit  for  food.     Milk  is  inspected  with  lactometer. 

What  is  their  value?  Probably  but  small  value.  Yet  I  saw  two  men  in  prison  for 
selling  watered  milk  in  the  city. 

23.  Is  milk  inspected?    How?    By  lactometer.     A  fine  of  5  pesos  for  first  adultera- 
tion, 10  pesos  for  second  adulteration,  15  pesos  for  third  adulteration. 

24.  What  is  the  general  sanitary  condition  of  groceries?    Fair.    There  are,  however, 
numbers  of  small  fruit  stores  which  are  very  dirty.    The  inspectors  reported  groceries 
"cleaner  than  in  San  Juan." 


172       REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

25.  What  is  sanitary  condition  of  bakeries?    Clean  and  excellent. 

26.  Slaughterhouses,  where  situated:  On  beach  north  side  town.     General  con- 
dition very  fair. 

At  what  hour  are  cattle  killed?    Four  p.  m. 

27.  The  jail,  where  situated?    In  rear  of  town  hall.    Closet  facilities,  two;  condi  ion 
of,  very  poor;  ventilation,  scarcely  sufficient  on  lower  floor;  lighting,  sufficient;  cook- 
ing facilities,  very  limited;  water  supply,  source,  a  cistern;  quality,  suspicious;  con- 
dition of  bedding,  good;  each  prisoner  furnishes  his  own  bedding. 

Is  the  jail  dry  and  clean,  or  otherwise?  It  is  dry,  but  is  not  kept  clean.  I  had  it 
cleaned  twice,  but  it  should  be  cleaned  daily. 

Are  separate  apartments  furnished  for  men  and  women?  Yes,  in  theory.  Yet  I 
found  men  and  women  together  twice,  one  being  an  insane  woman. 

Are  there  any  insane  persons  in  this  jail?  There  were  in  March,  but  I  think  they 
have  been  removed. 

Are  there  any  children  under  12  years  of  age  confined?  No,  not  at  present;  there 
were  some  but  a  little  older  in  March,  but  they  have  been  released. 

MUNICIPAL   HOSPITALS. 

Condition  as  to  police  and  order:  Fair. 

Heating:  None  needed. 

Lighting:  Candles  and  petroleum  lamps. 

Water  supply :  TWTO  large  cisterns  in  court. 

Lavatory  and  bathroom  fittings  and  discharge  of  waste:  Into  a  sewer  wThich  dis- 
charges into  ground  by  percolation. 

Requirements  as  to  bathing:  None. 

Plumbing:  None. 

Disposal  of  excreta,  mode  and  efficiency.  What  special  precautions  are  enforced 
regarding  the  disposal  of  typhoid  excreta?  Disinfect  with  carbolic-acid  solution. 

Means  and  orders  for  subduing  fire:  None. 

Amusements  provided:  None.  Patients  are  allowred  to  take  wTalks  outside  of  hos- 
pital, smoke,  and  play  cards. 

WARD. 

Number  of  patients  present:  36. 

Number  of  wards:  3.     For  what  purpose  used:  Sick.     Number  of  beds:  36. 

Floor  space  per  bed:  68  square  feet.     Air  space:  1,195  cubic  feet. 

Ventilation,  efficiency:  Good.     How  secured:  Through  windows  and  doors. 

What  special  provision  is  made  for  infectious  diseases?  Isolated  in  separate  build- 
ing in  rear  of  hospital,  now  used  by  United  States  soldiers. 

Condition  as  to  police  and  order:  Better  than  Porto  Rican  homes;  not  so  good  as 
the  native  hospitals  at  Ponce. 

Condition  of  beds,  bedding,  and  furniture:  Fair. 

Provision  for  patients'  effects:  None. 

Ward  for  infectious  diseases  and  isolation  ward:  One  in  rear  of  hospital;  a  house 
in  county  is  also  used. 

KITCHEN    AND    MESS   EOOM. 

Condition  as  to  police  and  order:  Fair. 

Quality  of  food,  especially  meat  and  bread:  Good;  the  bread  comes  from  the  city 
bakery. 

Is  cooking  properly  done?    Yes. 

Is  there  a  special  diet  kitchen?    No. 

Is  any  diet  table  observed?    No.     Who  orders  daily  fare?    House  physician. 

OUTBUILDINGS   AND   GROUNDS. 

Condition  of  deadhouse;  There  is  none;  dead  taken  at  once  to  cemetery. 
Other  outbuildings:  In  fair  condition. 
Are  grounds  improved?    No.     Trees:  None.     Grass:  None. 

Drainage,  sewerage,  police:  One  drain  leading  from  kitchen  to  fields  in  rear  of  hos- 
pital. 

HOSPITAL   REPAIRS   AND   ALTERATIONS. 

State,  in  order  of  importance,  repairs,  etc.,  needed.  There  should  be  construct^! 
a  sewer  leading  to  rear  of  buildings  with  modern  connections  with  kitchen,  bath- 
room, lavatories,  isolation  ward,  etc.  The  grounds  should  be  improved.  A  portico 
over  front  door  would  improve  appearance  of  building. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        173 

HOSPITAL   SUPERINTENDENCE. 

Number  nurses:  2  female,  4  male. 

Qualifications  of  nurses:  None  required. 

Condition  of  patients:  They  are  more  comfortable  than  at  home.  They  are  fairly 
well  fed,  but  after  numerous  visits  it  must  be  said  that  very  little  treatment  is 
received  by  the  patients,  who  are  left  to  suffer  and  die  of  diseases  susceptible  of 
treatment. 

REMARKS   ON   PERSONNEL   AND    HOSPITAL. 

There  is  a  resident  practicante  who  is  permitted  to  carry  on  other  business,  and 
apparently  does  little  for  the  sick.  He  was  one  of  the  public  vaccinators.  There  is 
a  staff  of  visiting  physicians,  who  appear  to  give  little  attention  to  the  hospital. 

Asylums  and  other  institutions  for  care  of  poor:  Except  the  hospital  there  are  no 
institutions  for  the  poor  in  Arecibo. 

What  provision  is  made  for  poor  (not  bedridden)  ?  There  is  a  poor-tax  levied,  said 
to  have  been  2,000  pesos  the  last  year,  which  is  distributed  by  the  alcalde. 

PESTHOUSE. 

Where  located:  In  rear  of  hospital.  Capacity:  About  15.  How  furnished:  Not  at 
all  now;  in  use  by  United  States  troops  as  post  hospital.  General  sanitary  condition: 
Fair.  How  are  dead  bodies  disposed  of:  Taken  to  cemetery  at  once. 

The  alcalde  also  selects  some  house  in  the  county,  when  he  thinks  same  is  needed, 
for  smallpox.  The  shack  is  burned  after  the  recovery  or  death  of  the  patient. 

CEMETERIES. 

Number:  One.  Location:  West  of  the  city  about  1  mile,  near  the  ocean.  Gen- 
eral condition:  Good,  but  kept  with  no  taste  whatever;  ground  not  leveled  after 
burials.  For  what  period  do  bodies  of  poor  remain  buried:  Three  to  five  years. 

Where  are  the  bodies  of  those  dying  of  contagious  diseases  buried :  In  same  ceme- 
tery. They  are  not  dug  up  before  three  years  elapse,  it  is  claimed. 

PREVAILING    DISEASES. 

Prevailing  diseases  of  city  and  district:  Anaemia,  tuberculosis,  dysentery,  gastro- 
enteritis, rheumatism,  tetanas,  meningitis,  malaria,  typhoid  fever,  fever  amarilla, 
cirrhosis  and  atrophy  of  liver,  cancer. 

Is  there  any  leprosy?  One  case.  Is  elephantiasis  prevalent?  One  or  two  cases. 
Does  goitre  exist?  No. 

What  epidemic  diseases  have  occurred  within  five  years?  Give  years,  extent  and 
mortality.  Measles  in  1899;  smallpox  nine  years  ago. 

What  diseases  of  domestic  animals  communicable  to  man  exist  in  the  district: 
Glanders,  common,  and  recognized  as  contagious;  tuberculosis  of  cattle  exists  to 
some  extent;  anthrax  exists  and  recognized  as  contagious;  hydrophobia,  believes 
there  is  some.  Santiago  Seijo. 

Mr.  Seijo  says  both  glanders  and  anthrax  are  often  communicated  to  human  beings. 
Tuberculosis  is  very  rare  in  cattle  on  this  island. 

Does  an  efficient  board  of  health  exist?  Not  an  efficient  board.  Are  vital  statis- 
tics kept?  Yes.  For  what  length  of  time?  Since  1885.  Do  the  church  records 
contain  any  vital  statistics?  Yes.  What  are  they  and  their  value?  Good  for  mar- 
riages, births,  and  deaths. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Farm  products,  money  crops:  Sugar,  coffee,  tobacco,  in  the  order  given. 

Minor  crops:  Sweet  and  white  potatoes,  yams,  beans,  and  pease  of  several  varie- 
ties, cabbage,  turnips,  pumpkins,  eggplant  fruit,  upland  rice,  indian  corn,  onion, 
radish,  lettuce,  cucumber,  parsley. 

Principal  fruits:  Banana,  orange,  lemon,  lime,  pineapple,  mango,  medlar,  tamarind, 
pajuil,  pomegranate,  cocoanut,  alligator  pear,  mamey,  guanabana. 

Principal  industries:  Three  bakeries,  daily  product  3,300  loaves,  employing  16 
men;  1  tannery,  capacity  8  hides  per  day,  6  men  employed;  3  coffee-cleaning 
houses,  14  men,  300  women  employed,  capacity  400  hundredweight  per  day;  2  liquor 
manufacturing  firms,  capacity  about  60  quarts  per  day;  1  carbonated-water  bottling 
establishment,  capacity  60  dozen  per  day;  5  brickyards,  average  capacity  15,000  per 
week;  8  distilleries,  employing  3  men  each,  average  capacity  250  hogsheads  per  year; 
2  candy  manufactories,  6  men,  producing  about  $10  worth  candy  per  day. 

Household  industries:  Needlework  by  women;  1  man  who  works  in  papier-mache. 


174   REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

SCHOOLS. 

Number  in  city:  6;  number  teachers,  6. 

Name  of  school:  Elemental;  first  class,  boys. 

Number  of  teachers:  2;  number  of  pupils,  115. 

Is  the  light  good?    Yes. 

Do  seats  face  windows?    Some  do,  others  do  not. 

How  are  blackboards  and  charts  placed  in  reference  to  windows?    Not  between. 

Number  of  rooms  in  school:  Two,  and  connecting  hall  also  used. 

Is  air  pure  or  impure- in  rooms?  Pure  (as  outside).  The  school  is  in  a  rather  bad 
portion  of  town. 

What  seats  and  desks  are  provided?    Benches  without  backs.     This  is  common  rule. 

What  is  the  closet  accommodation?    Poor. 

The  condition  of  closet:  Unsanitary. 

Location  of  closet:  In  building,  just  back  of  kitchen. 

*  Improvements  suggested  for  this  school:  That  the  benches  be  replaced  by  modern 
school  furniture;  that  the  closets  be  cleaned;  that  a  window  be  cut  in  rear  wall. 

Since  above  report,  this  school  has  been  removed  to  a  better  portion  of  the  town. 

Name  of  school:  Elemental  for  girls;  street,  Monserrate. 

Number  of  teachers:  1;  number  of  pupils,  71. 

Is  the  light  good?    Yes. 

Do  seats  face  windows?    Yes. 

How  are  blackboards  and  charts  placed  in  reference  to  windows?    None. 

Number  of  rooms  in  school:  One. 

Is  air  pure  or  impure  in  rooms?    Pure. 

What  seats  and  desks  are  provided:  Benches  all  around  the  room  next  wall. 
Chairs  in  center  room. 

What  is  the  closet  accommodation?    Fair. 

The  condition  of  closet:  Unsanitary. 

Location  of  closet:  Off  the  kitchen. 

Improvements  suggested  for  this  school :  This  school  needs  desks  and  books. 

It  is  a  private  school,  supposed  to  be  first  class.  There  was  a  strong  odor  of  the 
unwashed  in  the  room,  believed  not  to  belong  wholly  to  pupils. 

Name  of  school:  Boys'  Superior. 

Number  of  teachers:  1;  number  of  pupils,  90. 

Is  the  light  good?    Yes. 

Do  seats  face  windows?    No. 

How  are  blackboards  and  charts  placed  in  reference  to  windows?    Properly. 

Number  of  rooms  in  school:  Two. 

Is  air  pure  or  impure  in  rooms?    Pure. 

What  seats  and  desks  are  provided:  Benches  and  desks;  writing  desk  for  6. 

What  is  the  closet  accommodation?    Good. 

The  condition  of  closet:  Good. 

Location  of  closet:  In  rear  of  house. 

Improvements  suggested  for  this  school:  The  appointments  in  this  school  are  very 
fair.  The  teacher  needs  to  be  modernized.  There  is  no  fault  to  find  with  sanitary 
condition. 

Name  of  school:  Elementary  for  girls;  street,  on  alley  south  of  Gaudia  Hotel. 

Number  of  teachers:  1;  number  of  pupils,  75. 

Is  the  light  good?    Yes. 

Do  seats  face  windows?    No. 

How  are  blackboards  and  charts  placed  in  reference  to  windows?    None. 

Number  of  rooms  in  school:  One. 

Is  air  pure  or  impure  in  rooms?    Pure. 

What  seats  and  desks  are  provided:  Mere  benches. 

What  is  the  closet  accommodation?  Good;  rear  house. 

The  condition  of  closet:  Good. 

Location  of  closet:  Rear  house. 

Improvements  suggested  for  this  school:  This  school  is  in  better  condition  than 
the  private  school,  and  the  teacher  seems  to  have  some  idea  of  her  responsibilities. 

Name  of  school:  Mrs.  Jaujauries;  street,  Plaza. 

Number  of  teachers:  1;  number  of  pupils,  115. 

Is  the  light  good?    Yes. 

Do  seats  face  windows?    No. 

How  are  blackboards  and  charts  placed  in  reference  to  windows?    Properly. 

Number  of  rooms  in  school:  One. 

Is  air  pure  or  impure  in  rooms?    Pure. 

What  seats  and  desks  are  provided:  Chairs. 


REPORT  OF  SUPERIOR  BOARD  OF  HEALTH  OF  PORTO  RICO.        175 

What  is  the  closet  accommodation?  Same  as  used  by  family. 
The  condition  of  closet:  Fair. 
Location  of  closet:  Off  the  kitchen. 

Improvements  suggested  for  this  school:  Desks  should  be  supplied  the  pupils. 
This  school  is  well  located  and  no  fault  is  to  be  found  with  its  sanitary  conditions. 

REMARKS   ON    SANITARY   CONDITION    OF   CITY    AND    DISTRICT. 

In  Arecibo  the  huts  along  the  ocean  and  the  Rio  Santiago  should  be  burned  and 
those  portions  of  the  town  rebuilt  with  wide  streets  and  alleys.  This  suggestion  is 
made  because  Arecibo  can  not  afford  to  perpetuate  the  present  condition  of  affairs. 

The  sewage  at  present  discharges  into  the  Rio  Santiago.  This  stream  is  closed  by 
a  sandbar,  and  at  the  city  forms,  with  the  Rio  Grande,  a  lagoon.  When  water- 
closets  are  extensively  used  this  lagoon  will  in  all  probability  become  a  source  of 
danger  to  the  town.  At  some  considerable  expense  the  sewage  of  the  city  can  be 
discharged  into  the  ocean. 

For  town  and  city  the  only  hope  is  in  (1)  universal  education,  (2)  diversified 
agriculture,  (3)  an  appreciation  of  moral  and  sanitary  laws.  The  slow  work  of 
education  and  evolution  only  will  redeem  the  people. 

G.  G.  GROFF. 


OF 


E  E  P  O  R  T 

OF   THE 

BOAKD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO 

FOE    THE 

PERIOD  ENDING  JUNE  30,  1900, 

EMBRACING   THE   WORK   OF 

I    .    PORTO   RICO   RELIEF. 

BY 

MAJOR  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

SURGEON,  U.  S.  ARMY, 

CHIEF  SURGEON  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico,  PRESIDENT  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES 
OF  PORTO  Rico,  AND  IN  CHARGE  OF  PORTO  Rico  RELIEF. 

.  • 
19709—01  -  12  177 


REPORT 

OF  THE 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  E.,  July  15,  1900. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  In  submitting  a  report  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico 
from  the  date  of  its  organization,  August  9,  1899,  to  that  of  the  inau- 
guration of  the  civil  government,  May  1,  1900,  and  of  the  Porto 
Rico  relief  work,  I  have  the  honor  first  to  invite  your  attention  to  the 
following  statement  of  financial  transactions  and  supplies  received 
and  distributed : 

STATEMENT  OF  ACCOUNTS. 

Cost  of  maintaining  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  and  the  institutions 
under  its  control,  by  months. 

FROM  AUGUST  1, 1899,  TO  JANUARY  31, 1900,  IN  DETAIL. 


Institutions. 

Personnel. 

Salaries  of 
personnel 

Subsist- 
ence, cloth- 
ing, medi- 
cines, ma- 
terial, etc. 

Total. 

Employ- 
ees. 

Inmates 

August,  1899. 
Office  of  board                               

3 
20 
24 
3 

$172.  63 
1,020.14 
1,948.50 
181.  76 

3,323.03 

121 
381 
16 

$485.00 
643.33 
55.00 

$535.14 
1,305.17 
126.76 

Orphan  asylum                    .  ..  

Leper  asylum 

Total                             .                

September,  1899. 
Office  of  board                               

3 

20 
26 
3 

248.96 
896.  43 
2,349.87 
194.35 

Tn«?vnfi  asylum 

122 

382 
16 

413.00 
893.33 
55.00 

483.43 
1,456.54 
139.35 

Orphan  asylum      ..      .  .  

Leper  asylum 

Total            .       

3,689.61 

October,  1899. 
Office  of  board      '.-         

4 
19 
26 
3 

266.62 
816.99 
2,339.45 
196.95 

Insane  asylum 

121 
369 
16 

385.00 
699.80 
55.00 

431.98 
1,639.65 
141.  95 

Orphan  asylum 

Leper  asylum 

Total          

3,620.00 

November.  1899. 
Office  of  board  

5 

19 
26 
3 

267.  88 
991.90 
2,654.05 
212.15 

4,125.98 

Tnsanp  asyliim 

118' 
360 
16 

385.00 
987.  19 
55.00 

606.90 
1,666.86 
157.  15 

Orphan  asylum  

Leper  asylum    

Total 

December,  1899. 
Office  of  board 

4 
19 
31 
3 

259.42 

868.31 
3,219.22 
201.12 

Insane  asylum  

123 
352 
18 

401.00 
1,028.99 
55.00 

467.31 
2,190.23 
146.12 

Orphan  asylum 

Leper  asylum 

Total  

4,548.07 

January,  1900. 
Office  of  board  

5 
23 

38 
3 

238.50 
1,  138.  54 
2,740.69 
215  58 

Insane  asylum  .  .    . 

145 
351 

18 

409.00 
1,100.33 
55.00 

729.54 
1,640.36 
160.58 

Orphan  asylum 

Leper  asylum  

Total 

4,333.31 

Grand  total  

23,640.00 

179 


180       KEPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

Cost  of  maintaining  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico,  etc. — Continued. 

PROM  FEBRUARY  1,  19-X)  (DATE  OP  SEPARATION  OP  THE  INSANE  ASYLUM   AND 
ORPHAN  ASYLUM),  TO  APRIL  30,  1900. 


Institution. 

Personnel. 

Salaries 
of  em- 
ployed. 

Subsistence. 

Clothing, 
bedding, 
and 
shoes. 

Em- 
ploy- 
ees. 

In- 
mates. 

Bread. 

Meat 

Milk. 

Miscel- 
lane- 
ous. 

Total. 

February,  1900. 
Office  of  board  

5 
33 
3 
27 

21 

5 
33 
3 
41 
20 

15 
33 
4 
41 
23 

$235.00 

TnsRTif  asylum        - 

144 

18 
228 
160 

685.67 
55.  UO 
664.27 
341.34 

284.50 

$103.82 
5.42 
154.73 
107.21 

$122.32 
34.20 
175.  14 
127.52 

$36.54 
13.90 
39.20 
44.10 

$182.23 
62.85 
471.  12 
63.24 

$444.  9l 
116.  37 
840.19 
342.07 

$85.36 
14.76 
346.25 
363.08 

Leper  asylum 

Boys'  charity  school  .  . 
Girls'  charity  school  .  . 

March,  1900. 
Office  of  board  

Insane  asylum         ... 

153 
18 
202 
164 

801.  77 
55.00 
815.35 
326.34 

655.17 

786.  77 
64.00 
995.45 
367.00 

128.78 
6.00 

58.45 
53.68 

170.00 
35.34 
172.99 
152.98 

65.10 
16.42 
83.64 
52.62 

348.59 
71.38 
360.87 
184.32 

7l2.  47 
129.  14 
675.95 
443.60 

Leper  asylum 

3.90 
27.84 
367.55 

Boys1  charity  school  .  . 
Girls'  charity  school  .. 

April,  1900. 

Office  of  board  
Insane  asylum 

150 
18 
168 
164 

53.40 
6.10 
69.60 
50.75 

194.88 
31.32 
184.09 
136.42 

66.60 
17.64 
53.46 
46.90 

417.08 
59.10 
318.  72 
198.84 

731.96 
114.  16 
625.87 
432.91 

Leper  asylum 

Boys'  charity  school  .. 
Girls'  charity  school  .. 

83.62 

Institution. 

Washing 
and  sew- 
ing ma- 
terial. 

Lights, 
fuel, 
and  oil. 

Utensils 
and  fur- 
niture. 

Medi- 
cines, 
dress- 
ings, and 
instru- 
ments. 

Minor 
repairs. 

Station- 
ery and 
supplies. 

Sun- 
dries. 

Total. 

February,  1900. 
Office  of  board 

$4  50 

$239.50 
1,502.06 
220.84 
2.263.91 
1,277.75 

Insane  asylum.  

$10.80 

$29.23 

$47.  19 

$21.65 
34.71 

$159.15 

8.50 

$9.60 

Leper  asylum 

Boys'  charity  school 

61.55 
17.60 

31.31 
96.37 

66.90 

162.19 

87.23 

61.36 
17.10 

29.89 
12.96 

Girls'  charity  school 

Total 

5,504.06 

March,  1900. 
Office  of  board          .... 

19.32 

303.82 
1,809.10 
206.11 
2,075.43 
1,345.28 

5,739.74 

Insane  ftsylnm 

12.78 

28.77 

83.00 
4.98 
245.91 

36.31 
13.09 
109.40 
87.62 

35.56 

70.35 

28.09 

Leper  asylum 

Boys'  charity  school..  . 
Girls'  charity  school.  .  . 

Total 

17.20 
25.20 

39.35 
10.25 

36.92 
69.52 

80.05 

27.46 
15.20 

April,  1900. 
Office  of  board 

17.09 

672.26 
1,639.24 

188.66 
2,071.55 
1,059.57 

~57631.  28 

Insane  asylum 

28.80 

30.01 
8.06 
87.40 
22.42 

15.60 
.64 

162.  82 
227.64 

17.75 
1.80 

23.25 

5.10 

Leper  asylum     . 

Boys'  charity  school.  .  . 
Girls'  charity  school 

1.50 

95.33 

3.96 

15.60 
9.60 

Total 

Grand  total 

40,515.08 

REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF   PORTO    RICO.        181 

Statement  showing  the  amounts  advanced  and  disbursed  by  the  various  special  dis- 
bursing officers  having  in  charge  hurricane  relief  funds,  for  medicines,  supplies, 
and  necessary  expenditures. 

Capt.  H.  S.  Bishop,  at  Manati: 

To  warrant  53,  August  12,  1899 -.•'.. $1,000.00 

By  disbursements: 

August  12  to  August  31 $663.88 

September  1  to  September  30 56. 70 

October  1  to  October  31 24.00 

November  1  to  November  30 45. 30 

December  1  to  December  31 33.15 

January  1  to  February  28,  1900. 54.30 

March  1  to  March  17 19.20 

By  balance  transferred  to  Lieutenant  Haines . .        103. 47 

1,000.00 


Lieut.  John  T.  Haines,  at  Manati: 

To  balance  received  from  Captain  Bishop,  March  18 _ 103. 47 

By  disbursements  March  18  to  March  31 6. 00 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  (Rec.  2477) 97. 47 

103.47 


Capt.  H.  R.  Lee,  at  Lares: 

To  warrant  54,  August  12,  1899 _.     1,000.00 

By  disbursements: 

August  21  to  August  31.... 254.18 

September  4  to  September  20 .          13.07 

October  1  to  October  31 16.95 

By  deposit  with  treasurer  (Rec.  536) 500.00 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  (Rec.  788) _.        215.80 

1,000.00 


Lieut.  S.  a.  Chiles,  at  Aguadilla: 

To  warrant  55,  August  12,  1899 1,000.00 

By  disbursements: 

August  22  to  September  30.. .  ... 21.00 

October  1  to  October  31    . 40.89 

November  1  to  November  30 _ .  .60 

By  deposit  with  treasurer  (Rec.  424) 750. 00 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  (Rec.  978)... 187.51 

1,000.00 

Capt.  Eben  Swift,  at  Huinacao: 

To  warrant  56,  August  12,  1899 1, 000. 00 

By  disbursements: 

August  1  to  August  31 ...        555. 88 

September  1  to  September  30 224.32 

October  1  to  October  31 140.62 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  ( Rec.  772  and  806) 79. 18 

1,000.00 


Lieut.  Col.  C.  C.  C.  Carr,  at  Mayaguez: 

To  warrant  57,  August  12,  1899 1,000.00 

By  disbursements,  August  18  to  August  31 689. 76 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  (Rec.  417) 310. 24 

1,000.00 


Lieut.  Col.  D.  W.  Burke,  at  San  Juan: 

To  warrant  58.  August  12,  1899... 1,000.00 

By  amount  transferred  to  Lieutenant  Wells 1, 000. 00 


Lieut.  F.  L.  Wells,  at  San  Juan: 

To  amount  received  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Burke 1 , 000. 00 

By  disbursements,  August  12  to  September  30 158. 80 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  (Rec.  558) 841.20 

1,000.00 


182   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

Statement  showing  the  amounts  advanced  and  disbursed  by  the  various  special  dis~ 
bursing  officers  having  in  charge  hurricane  relief  funds,  etc. — Continued. 

Capt.  W.  E.  Almy.  at  San  German: 

To  warrant  59,  August  12,  1899 $1,000.00 

By  amount  transferred  to  Captain  Schuyler _ . 1 , 000. 00 


Capt.  W.  S.  Schuyler,  at  San  German: 

To  amount  received  from  Captain  Almy 1, 000. 00 

By  disbursements,  August  22  to  August  26 $432. 05 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  (Rec.  278) 567. 95 

1,000.00 


Capt.  C.  H.  Watts,  at  Adjuntas: 

To  warrant  60,  August  12,  1899 1,000.00 

To  additional  amount  advanced 150. 00 

1,150.00 

By  disbursements,  August  9  to  August  31 1, 072. 02 

By  disbursements,  September  1  to  September  31 :          77. 98 

1,150.00 


Maj.  A.  L.  Myer,  at  Ponce: 

To  warrant  61,  August  12,  1899 _ 1,000.00 

By  disbursements: 

August  12  to  August  31 .. 118.72 

September  1  to  September  30. 62. 05 

October  1  to  October  31 30.04 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  (Rec.  1012) 789. 19 

1,000.00 


Capt.  A.  C.  Maconib,  at  Arecibo: 

To  warrant  62,  August  12, 1899 1,000.00 

By  disbursements: 

August  14  to  September  30 274.37 

October  1  to  October  31 2.25 

November  1  to  February  28 200.00 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  (Rec.  1783) 523. 38 

1,000.00 


Capt.  F.  W.  Foster,  at  Cayey: 

To  warrant  63,  August  12,  1899 1,000.00 

By  disbursements.  August  12  to  August  31 659. 79 

By  balance  paid  treasurer  (Rec.  446)  340. 21 

1,000.00 

Capt.  H.  W.  Wheeler,  at  Aibonito: 

To  warrant  64,  August  12,  1899 1,000.00 

By  disbursements: 

August  12  to  August  31 763.07 

September  1  to  October  31 179.62 

November  1  to  November  30 19. 83 

December  1  to  December  31 14. 00 

January  1  to  February  28 23. 48 

1,000.00 

Account  of  receipts  and  disbursements. — Contribution  fund. 

[See  p.  291  for  list  of  contributors.] 
1899. 
Aug.    Received  by  contributions $9,588.60 


Sept.    Balance  from  August $9,588.60 

Received  by  contributions. 4,066.50 

13,655.10 

Disbursements: 

Reimbursement  for  payment  of  interpreter,  Maya- 
guez 3.60 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        183 
Account  of  receipts  and  disbursements. — Contribution  fund—  Continued. 

1899. 
Sept.    Disbursements — Continued. 

Transferred  to  division  of  Ponce  (relief  expenses) . .  $200. 00 

Services  of  physicians  ._ 423.86 

Services  and  supplies  at  general  supply  depot 503. 84 

Transferred  to  division  of  Manati  (relief  expenses )  _  1 00. 00 

Printing 28.83 

$1,260.13 


Balance.  ..„ 12,394.97 


Oct.     Balance  from  September 12,394.97 

Received  by  contributions. 1,569.00 

13,963.97 

Disbursements: 

Emergency  relief  supplies  at  Adjuntas 1, 742. 99 

Interpreter,  Mayaguez 22. 20 

Provisional  hospital ,  Ponce ,  services 247 . 06 

Printing 1,034.92 

Transferred  to  division  Manati  (relief  expenses)  ..  100.00 

Inspectors  for  board  (salaries  and  expenses) 298. 28 

Physicians,  expenses 4. 50 

General  supply  depot,  services 447. 50 

Rent  of  depot  at  Caguas  12.72 

Clerk,  office  of  board 12.00 

3,922.17 


Balance 10,041. 


Nov.    Balance  from  October t 10,041.80 

Disbursements: 

Services,  board  of  charities _  _  _ . .  24. 00 

Emergency  relief  supplies,  Arecibo 1, 020. 08 

Services,  division  of  Mayaguez 84. 00 

Services,  general  supply  depot 414. 76 

Emergency  relief  supplies,  Cayey _ 5. 97 

Reward  for  discovery  of  fraud 10.00 

Printing.... 16.75 

Purchase  of  medicines  at  Patillas 174. 93 

Services,  division  of  Adjuntas 54.00 

Provisional  hospital,  Ponce,  services  and  supplies .  415. 67 

Rent  of  supply  depot,  Aibonito _ .  7.  00 

2,227.16 


Balance 7, 814. 64 


Dec.     Balance  from  November 7,814.64 

Disbursements: 

Services,  general  supply  depot 380. 00 

Provisional  hospital,  Ponce,  services  and  s applies.  426. 76 

Services,  board  of  charities 88. 00 

Practicante,  Utuado 28.33 

Emergency  supplies,  division  of  Arecibo 120. 54 

Rent  of  supply  depot,  Adjuntas 36. 00 

Services,  Mayaguez 24. 00 

Reimbursement  for  damage  to  storehouse,  Fajardo _  30. 00 

Printing. 157.85 

Rent  of  depot,  Aibonito 7.00 

Medicine  and  services,  division  of  Caguas 15. 25 

1,313.73 

Balance... _ 6,500.91 


184       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

Account  of  receipts  and  disbursements. — Contribution  fund — Continued. 

1900. 

Jan.     Balance  from  December _  $6, 500. 91 

Reimbursement   by  freight  contractors  for  supplies 
stolen  en  route,  Lares 262. 97 

$763.88 

Disbursements: 

Services,  general  supply  depot 350.00 

Provisional  hospital,  Ponce,  services  and  supplies.        418. 55 

Rent  of  depot,  Aibonito 7. 00 

Services,  division  of  Mayaguez 132. 00 

Rent  of  depot,  Arecibo _ 9. 00 

Printing _ 76.38 

Practicante  at  Mameyes..- 50.00 

Medicine  at  Patillas 66.77 

Services,  board  of  charities  _ _ _.          52.00 

1,161.70 


Balance .... 5,602.18 


Feb.     Balance  from  January  _ 5,602.18 

Received  by  contributions 192. 35 

Received  by  sale  of  glassware  donation  _ 26. 75 

Reimbursement  for  supplies  lost  and  stolen  en  route  ..  82. 62 

: 5,903.90 

Disbursements: 

Printing 47.79 

Services,  Mayaguez _.  91.80 

Provisional  hospital,  Ponce,  services  and  supplies.  359. 16 

Services,  general  supply  depot  207.  50 

Transferred  to  division  inspector.  Cayey 500. 00 

Practicante  at  Mayaguez 50.00 

Services,  office  of  board 46.00 

1,302.25 

Balance..  4,601.65 


Mar.     Balance  from  February 4,601.65 

Received  by  contributions _ 500.00 

By  transfer  from  commanding  officer,  Manati 7. 95 

By  sale  of  damaged  supplies : 3.00 

5,112.60 

Disbursements: 

Provisional  hospital,  Ponce,  services  and  supplies.  174. 17 

Rent  of  depot,  Aibonito 7. 00 

Rent  of  depot,  San  German _., 4. 42 

Emergency  supplies,  Arecibo - . . 24. 10 

Services,  Mayaguez 96.00 

Services,  Adjuntas 27.00 

Rent  of  depot,  Adjuntas 36.00 

Printing   ._ 44.00 

Services,  general  supply  depot 257. 50 

Services,  board  of  charities 141. 00 

811.19 


Balance _ 4,301.41 


Apr.    Balance  from  March 4,301.41 

Received  by  contributions 5. 00 

4,306.41 

Disbursements : 

Printing  274.37 

Services,  Mayaguez 42.00 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF   PORTO    RICO.        185 

Account  of  receipts  and  disbursements. — Contribution  fund — Continued. 

1900. 
Apr.     Disbursements— Continued. 

Provisional  hospital,  Ponce,  services. . $1. 18 

Rent  of  depot,  San  German 25.28 

Services,  general  supply  depot 265. 00 

Supplies,  office  of  board. 1. 15 

$608.98 


Balance.. -- - 3,697.43 


May.    Balance  from  April. 3,697.43 

Received  by  contributions 25. 00 

3,722.43 

Disbursements: 

Services,  May aguez 31.20 

Services,  Bayamon 12. 00 

Medicines,  Cayey - 70.46 

Printing  and  supplies . . 47. 76 

Practicante, Mayaguez  ... 7.20 

168. 62 


Balance.. ...     3,553.81 


June.  Balance  from  May 3, 553. 81 

By  transfer  from  general  supply  depot. . .  -...-. 22. 34 

By  error  in  payment  of  checks  at  bank .21 

3,576.36 

Disbursements: 

Supplies,  office  of  relief 2. 56 

Printing _., 3.00 

5. 56 


Balance 1 . 3,570.80 


July.    Balance  from  June.... 3,570.80 

By  transfer  from  Division  of  Ponce  (unexpended  bal- 
ance)   114.65 

3,685.45 

Disbursements:  Printing 2. 70 


Balance  on  hand  August  1,1 900 .-    3,682.75 

RECAPITULATION. 

Total  receipts: 

By  contributions 15,946.45 

By  reimbursement  for  supplies  lost  or  stolen 345. 59 

By  sale  of  supplies 29.75 

By  error  at  bank .21 

16,322.00 

Total  disbursements 12,784.19 

Less  unexpended  balance  returned  by  depots 144. 94 

12,639.25 


Balance,  August  1,1900 3,682.75 


186       REPORT    OF   THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO   RICO. 

Account  of  disbursements  from  the  allotment  of  $25,000  from  the  appropriation 
for  refunding  customs  revenues,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  hospitals,  paying 
expenses  of  food  distribution,  etc. 

1900. 

Apr.    Placed  to  credit  of  disbursing  officer  Porto  Rican  re- 
lief  $25,000.00 

Disbursements: 

Purchase  of  relief  medicines $385.41 

Purchase  of  hospital  supplies.  92. 04 

477. 45 


Balance.-.. 24,522.55 


May.  Balance  from  April ., 24,522.55 

Disbursements: 

Services  in  office  of  Porto  Rico  relief 267. 53 

Services,  general  supply  depot. 302. 50 

570.03 


Balance 23,952.52 


June.  Balance  from  May 23,952.52 

Disbursements: 

Services,  general  supply  depot ..  . . . 302. 50 

Services,  office  Porto  Rico  relief 137. 80 

Purchase  of  relief  medicines , _ 1, 828. 05 

Services,  May aguez 97.44 

Services,  Jayuya 15. 00 

Rent  of  depot  at  Manati. ._ 3.60 

Services,  Bayamon _ . 27. 00 

Printing. 110.04 

Hospital  maintenance,  Aguadilla 60. 00 

2,581.43 


Balance _ 21,371.09 


July.   Balance  from  June... 21,371.09 

Disbursements : 

Services,  May  aguez _.        74.40 

Relief  medicine ...       _ 1,334.66 

Services,  office  of  Porto  Rico  relief 1 6. 53 

Orphanage ,  Arecibo — supplies 75. 00 

Physicians,  division  of  Arecibo 200. 00 

Rent  of  depot,  Adjuntas _... 19.00 

Maintenance  of  hospital ,  Aguadilla 30. 00 

Maintenance  of  hospital,  Adjuntas 87. 20 

Services,  general  supply  depot 60. 88 

Printing 1.86 

1,899.53 


Balance  on  hand  August  1 19,471.56 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        187 


Receipts  and  distribution  of  food  for  hurricane  sufferers  of  Porto  Rico,  August 

8,  1899,  to  July  15, 1900. 

GROSS  SUPPLIES  PER  TRANSPORT. 


Date  of 
arrival. 

Rice. 

Beans. 

Codfish. 

Bacon. 

Miscel- 
laneous. 

Total. 

1899. 
Aug.  16 
Aug.  17 
Aug.  19 
Aug.  30 
Aug.  31 
Sept.  1 
Aug.  29 

Rations. 
4,300 
13,900 
603,871 

'"505,~666~ 
350 

Rations. 
7,100 
22,000 
646,359 
31,550 
465,915 

Rations. 

Rations. 

Rations. 

Rations. 
11,400 
35,900 
1,269,430 
270,850 
1,934,405 
18,250 
101,200 
1,112,009 
39,900 
375,  700 
1,990,248 
265,338 
206,  795 
1,210,701 
687,397 
2,  090,  057 
1,304,183 
1,748,076 
276,884 
539,912 
96,150 
600 
1,001,908 
989,263 
752,307 

1,259,712 
1,000,18H 
l,006,239i 
1,006,056 
1,040,265 
1,003,147 
978,286 
10,000 
1,661,112 
1.399,856 
990,206 
&52.023 
41,100 
567,649 

400,000 
il,  344,  696 
1,100,534 

Do                                «.    - 

U  S  A  T  McPherson 

19,200 
239,300 
694,346 
2,100 
101,200 
472,550 
39,900 
323,000 
300 
11,138 

U.S.S.  Panther.  

U  S  A  T  McClellan 

268,544 
15,800 

S  S  Evelyn 

U  S  Commissary 

U  S  A  T  Kil  patrick 

Sept.  8 
Sept  12 

336,000 

302.819 

640 

S  S  Mae 

U  S  A  T  "Wright 

Sept.  14 
Sept.  15 
Sept.  18 
Sept.  29 

22,400 
858,  166 
146,  700 

30,300 
857.  670 
107,500 
206,795 
426,043 
334,077 
960,285 
507,980 
699,380 
149,820 
54,740 
62,350 

U  S  A  T  Burnside 

274,112 

U.S.  A.  T.  McClellan      

S  S  Hildeur 

U  S  A  T  Buford 

do 

505,248 
353,320 
848,648 
509,903 
851,920 
33,600 
350,400 
1,000 

279,410 

S  S.  Philadelphia 

Oct.     2 
Oct.   11 
Oct.   21 
Oct.   26 
Oct.   31 
.  .  do 

U  S  A  T  McPherson 

280,624 
284,000 
196,776 
93,464 
60,672 

500 
2,300 

U  S  Commissary 

U  S.  A.  T.  Burnside 

U  S  Commissary 

U.  S.  S.  Resolute 

74,100 
32,800 
600 
1,400 

U  S  A  T  McPherson 

Nov.    4 

Nov     8 

U  S  A  T  McClellan 

U.  S.  A.  T.  Burnside  . 

Dec.  11 
Dec.  22 
Dec.  27 

1900. 
Jan.     2 
Jan.  17 
Jan.  23 
Jan.  30 
Feb.     6 
Mar.  13 
Mar.  27 
Apr.    2 

805,508 
789,423 
350,052 

849,  452 
573,950 
572,152 
568,649 
574,  124 
572,  048 
566,399 

100,000 
99,840 
80,000 

90,000 
70,974 
71,040 
71,680 
71,550 
142,  866 
73,850 

100,000 
100,000 
80,000 

80,000 
71,420 
71,420 
81,368 
71,420 

U  S  A  T  McClellan 

U.  S.  A.  T.  Buford 

242,255 

240,160 
283,837^ 
291,6274 
284,359 
292,  771 
288,233 
276,637 

U.  S.  A.  T.  McPherson  . 

100 

USA  T.  Buford 

U.  S.  A.  T.  McPherson  .  . 



U.  S.  A.  T.  McClellan 

U.  S.  A.  T.  Burnside... 

30,400 

U.S.  A.  T.  McClellan. 

U.  S.  A.  T.  Burnside 

61,400 
10,000 

U.  S.  A.  T.  Kilpatrick    . 

U.  S.  A.  T.  McPherson 

Apr.    9 
Apr.  17 
Apr.  25 
May    8 
May  12 
May  21 

1899. 
Dec.    4 

1,044,639 
705,607 
549,659 
370,234 

328,052 
517,301 
297,411 
168,  401 

133,090 
93,556 

71,680 
43,450 

155,331 
83,392 
71,456 
69,938 

U  S.A.T.  Crook 

U.  S.  A.  T.  Burnside.. 

U.  S.A.T.  Crook 

U  S  Commissary 

41,100 

U.  S.  A.  T.  McPherson  
Accumulation  of  transport 
receipts  taken  up  at  de- 
pot 

335,287 
100,000 

174,326 
300,000 

42,336 

15,700 

Total  

2,086,334 
4,660 

15,267,509 
865,354 

9,858,054 
124,975 

3,009,954 
104,868 

1,  122,  845 

Receipts    from    miscella- 
neous sources  

677 

Grand  total 

16,132,863 

9,983,029 

3,114,822 

1,123,522 

2,090,994 

32,445,230 

GENERAL  DEPOT,  SAN  JUAN,  P.  R. 


Received. 

Disbursed. 

Balance 
turned  over 
to  commis- 
sioner of 
interior. 

Rice  

Rations. 
16  132  863 

Rations. 
15  878  697 

Rations. 
254  166 

Beans 

9  983  029 

9  982  529 

500 

Codfish  

3  114  822 

3  114  572 

250 

Bacon  

1  123  522 

1  123  522 

Miscellaneous 

2  090  994 

2  088  094 

2  900 

Gross    

32  445  230 

32  187  414 

257  816 

188   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


Consolidated  report  of  receipts  and  distribution  of  food  for  hurricane  sufferers,  etc. 

SUPPLIES  RECEIVED. 


Inspection  district. 

Eice. 

Beans. 

Codfish. 

Bacon. 

Miscella- 
neous. 

Total. 

Date 
closed. 

AdjuntaS'       -.   .. 

Rations. 
279,  486 

Rations. 
286,765 

Rations. 

81,  182 

Rations. 
4,600 

Rations. 
53  350 

Rations. 
705  383 

1900. 
July  15 

Aibonito 

758,260 

531,  734 

145,430 

68,686 

94  770 

1  598  880 

Do 

Aguadilla  

671,  478 

429,479 

147,808 

29,654 

125,650 

1,  404,  069 

Do 

Arecibo     .  

1,621,623 

1,034,091 

360,928 

.       95,379 

273,tKX) 

3,  385,  021 

Do 

Arroyo 

158,  876 

104,  525 

38,164 

4  408 

55  700 

361  673 

1899. 
Oct      5 

Bay  amon  

1,390,780 

912,  679 

209,670 

113,736 

131,  700 

2,  758,  565 

Oct    25 

Caguas 

347,320 

225,  114 

74,792 

7,800 

110,  000 

765,026 

Oct      5 

Cayey 

260,  716 

227,  729 

76,266 

7,502 

64,300 

636  513 

Nov  15 

Fajardo 

70  820 

58  668 

18  066 

13  500 

161  054 

Sept  96 

Guanica    

175,612 

181,299 

58,222 

54,840 

469,  973 

Nov  11 

Humacao 

145,448 

124,  759 

48,216 

123,200 

441,623 

Oct    28 

Lares  

443,700 

359,490 

113,380 

22,800 

60,560 

999,930 

1900. 
Mar.  16 

Manati 

3,910,005 

2,120,923 

747,696 

240,  116 

188,900 

7,  207,  640 

July  15 

Mayaguez 

2,  677,  158 

1,  643,  476 

485,068 

259,  632 

186,  640 

5  251,974 

Do 

Ponce  

1,221,276 

779,  804 

202,952 

85,593 

199,450 

2,489,075 

Do. 

San  Juan 

288,602 

115,541 

55,436 

68,250 

9,400 

537,229 

Do. 

San  German 

359,  740 

251,592 

105,  184 

10,600 

66,000 

793,  116 

Mar.  16 

Total  

14,780,900 

9,387,668 

2,  968,  460 

1,  018,  756 

1,810,960 

29,966,744 

Miscellaneous  dis- 
tribution 

1,097,797 

594,861 

146,  112 

104,766 

277,  134 

2,  220,  670 

Grand  total.. 

15,878,697 

9,982,529 

3,114,572 

1,123,522 

2,088,094 

32,187,414 

POPULATION  STATISTICS. 


Substations.  * 

Popula- 
tion. 

Indigent. 

Indigent 
supplied 
through 
planters. 

Dead. 

At  work. 

Ad  juntas: 
Adjuntas                   ..  .     .     .    .. 

19,  571 

10,000 

9,750 

•   1,553 

1,500 

Guayanilla  2 

9,632 

Penuelas  2 

12  293 

Utuado2       

43,  675 

Yauco  2 

27,337 

Aibonito: 
Aibonito   .  ..  

8,541 

3,000 

1,065 

337 

300 

Barranquitas            -      -  .. 

8,163 

5,500 

796 

412 

450 

Barros 

14,883 

4,000 

4,480 

652 

200 

Aguadilla: 
Aguadilla       

17,997 

5,600 

150 

572 

313 

Aguada 

10,575 

4,500 

566 

280 

Isabela 

14,890 

4,000 

560 

279 

Moca        -. 

12,415 

1,500 

577 

800 

Rincon       .             .  .  -  .  

6,661 

3,000 

226 

375 

San  Sebastian 

16,289 

Arecibo: 
Arecibo   

37,019 

11,000 

4,113 

1,780 

1,250 

Camuy 

11,123 

4,000 

296 

275 

Hatillo 

10,439 

3,000 

175 

264 

278 

Quebradillas 

7,424 

2,600 

65 

239 

380 

Utuado          

20,000 

16,609 

3,283 

500 

Arroyo: 
Arroyo 

4,868 

3,000 

489 

220 

250 

Guayama 

12,  798 

2,000 

280 

620 

Patillas          

11,202 

2,000 

12 

610 

700 

Salinas 

5  824 

1  500 

253 

50 

Bay  amon: 
Bayamon  

19,897 

8,900 

4,628 

705 

60 

Comeiro         .      ... 

8,251 

6,000 

3,905 

430 

60 

Corozal 

11,507 

7,000 

1,210 

533 

84 

Dorado 

3,804 

1.000 

328 

114 

50 

Naranjito 

8,106 

3,800 

3,658 

298 

140 

Toa  Alta          

7,908 

2,000 

175 

246 

30 

Toa  Baia  .  . 

4.032 

3,000 

76 

46 

1  Complete  returns  from  substations  had  not  been  received  at  the  time  of 
this  report.    Amounts  distributed  to  substations  are  consequently  estimated, 
are  based  on  the  number  of  indigent  in  the  respective  districts. 

2  Transferred. 


the  completion  of 
These  estimates 


EEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF   POETO    EICO.        189 


Receipts  and  distribution  of  food  for  hurricane  sufferers,  etc. — Continued. 
POPULATION  STATISTICS-Continued. 


Substations. 

Popula- 
tion. 

Indigent. 

Indigent 
supplied 
through 
planters. 

Dead. 

At  work. 

Caguas: 
Aguas  Buenas                    -     .        

7,988 

3,400 

2,328 

333 

150 

Caguas 

19,925 

5,900 

1,067 

733 

274 

Gurabo  

8,723 

1,600 

761 

258 

300 

Juncos                                             .  

8,418 

2.500 

115 

341 

163 

San  Lorenzo 

2,400 

745 

446 

254 

Cayey: 
Cayey 

14,556 

5,000 

1,505 

700 

700 

Cidra 

7  557 

5  300 

605 

253 

450 

Fa  jar  do: 
Fajardo 

12,  655 

2  100 

1 

(317 

Ceiba      

700 

15 

1         456 

77 

Luquillo 

500 

j 

74 

Rio  Grande 

12  297 

1  700 

800 

403 

40 

Guanica: 
Guayanilla 

3,000 

678 

574 

700 

Yauco  

5,000 

120 

1,685 

1,500 

Humacao  : 
Humacao 

13  706 

1  800 

847 

1,000 

Culebra 

704 

290 

17 

.Naguabo 

4,072 

1,200 

389 

800 

Mannabo 

6  323 

800 

254 

327 

500 

Piedras                                       .     .     

8,567 

900 

300 

Vieques 

5,964 

1  200 

180 

Yabucoa  

14,  132 

1,500 

20 

728 

1,000 

Lares: 
Lares  

21,  173 

6,000 

5,530 

1,211 

703 

San  Sebastian  . 

5,300 

2,832 

542 

550 

Manati  : 
Mauati  

14,  195 

9,000 

4,641 

I              r-m 

/       1,905 

Barcelonita            .              

9.362 

7,000 

1,984 

j-          /91 

\       1,840 

Ciales  

18,196 

12,000 

9,262 

1,014 

4,782 

Morovis 

11,220 

8,000 

3,334 

574 

2,658 

Vega  Alta 

6  077 

1  500 

385 

185 

259 

VegaBaja  

10,155 

6,000 

1,257 

336 

425 

Mayaguez  : 
Mayaguez 

36  042 

3  000 

12  368 

1  921 

2,055 

Anasco  .         

13,537 

6,020 

2,858 

723 

511 

Cabo  Rojo 

16  086 

7  400 

675 

457 

597 

Hormigueras  

7,466 

Las  Marias 

11,401 

6,000 

2,875 

559 

2,000 

Maricao 

8  304 

5  000 

1  708 

613 

1,000 

Ponce: 
Ponce 

56  212 

15,000 

1  435 

3,190 

1,600 

Coamo  

15,  152 

10,000 

470 

410 

2,000 

Juana  Diaz  

27,  919 

15,000 

3,411 

1,319 

5,000 

Penuelas 

5  600 

110 

561 

1  500 

Santa  Isabel  

4,&59 

1,800 

100 

155 

25 

San  Juan: 
San  Juan 

32  555 

1  700 

956 

Carolina  

12,654 

2,000 

95 

303 

200 

Hato  Grande  

13,545 

Loiza 

12  728 

500 

157 

400 

Trujillo  Alto 

5,691 

1,700 

65 

117 

95 

Rio  Piedras  

13,758 

1,800 

85 

404 

52 

San  German: 
San  German 

20  393 

4  000 

402 

759 

500 

Lajas 

8  784 

1  200 

268 

272 

Sabana  Grande  - 

10,604 

3,100 

1  049 

408 

500 

Total 

957  779 

314  310 

117  832 

42  025 

48  678 

Less  by  revision  of  population  statistics.  .  . 

4,536 

Total  

953,243 

190       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF   PORTO    RICO. 


Receipts  and  distribution  of  food  for  hurricane  sufferers,  etc. — Continued. 
SUPPLIES  RECEIVED. 


Rice. 

Beans. 

Codfish. 

Bacon. 

Miscella- 
neous. 

District 
total. 

Ad  juntas: 
Ad  juntas 

Rations. 
279  486 

Rations. 
286  765 

Rations. 

81  182 

Rations. 
4  600 

Rations. 
53  350 

Rations. 
705  383 

Aibonito: 
Aibonito            .          

189,565 

132,  933 

36  357 

17  172 

23  693 

399  7'^0 

Barranquitas 

315  942 

221  555 

60  595 

28  619 

39  487 

666  198 

Barros 

252  753 

177  246 

48  478 

22  895 

31  590 

532  %° 

Aguadilla* 

1,598,880 

Aguadilla 

201  443 

128  844 

44  342 

8  896 

37  695 

421  220 

Aguada... 

161,155 

103,075 

35,474 

7,117 

30,156 

336  977 

Isabela          

147,  725 

94,485 

32,518 

6,524 

27  643 

308  895 

Moca 

53  718 

34,358 

11  825 

2,372 

10  052 

112*  325 

Bincon  

107,437 

68,717 

23,649 

4,745 

20,104 

224'  652 

Arecibo: 
Arecibo 

437  838 

279  205 

97  450 

25  752 

73  710 

1,404,069 
913  955 

Camuy  .. 

162,  162 

103,409 

36,093 

9,538 

27,300 

338  502 

Hatillo 

113  514 

72,386 

25,265 

6,677 

19  110 

236  952 

Quebradillas 

97  297 

62  045 

21  655 

5,723 

16  380 

203  100 

Utuado  

810,812 

517,046 

180,465 

47,689 

136,500 

1  692'  512 

3,385,021 

Arroyo   

55,607 

36,897 

13,  472 

1,556 

19,662 

127  194 

Guayania 

38,130 

24,564 

8,969 

1,036 

13  090 

85  789 

Patillas 

38  130 

24  563 

8  968 

1,036 

13  090 

85  787 

Salinas 

27  009 

18  501 

6  755 

780 

9  858 

62  903 

361,673 

Bay  amon  

389,418 

255,550 

58,708 

31,846 

36,876 

772  398 

rinmflirn 

264,248 

173,409 

39,837 

21,  610 

25,023 

524  127 

Corozal 

305  972 

200  789 

46  127 

25,022 

28  974 

606  884 

Dorado  

41,723 

27,380 

6,290 

3,412 

3,951 

82  756 

Naran  jito   

166,  894 

109,522 

25,160 

13,648 

15,804 

331  028 

Toa  Alta 

83,447 

54,760 

12,580 

6,824 

7  902 

165  513 

Toa  Baja  

139,078 

91,269 

20,968 

11,374 

13,  170 

275,  859 

2,758,565 

Aguas  Buenas  

72,937 

47,274 

15,706 

1,638 

23,100 

160,655 

Caguas        

128,508 

83,292 

27,673 

2,886 

40,700 

283  059 

Gurabo 

34,732 

22,511 

7,479 

780 

11,000 

76  502 

Juncos 

55  572 

36  019 

11  967 

1,248 

17  600 

122  406 

San  Lorenzo  

55,571 

36,018 

11,967 

1,248 

17,600 

122,404 

765,026 

Cay  ey  . 
Cayey  

126,708 

110,449 

36,989 

3,638 

31,185 

308,969 

Cidra        ..     . 

134,008 

117,  280 

39,277 

3,865 

33,114 

327  544 

636,513 

Fajardo    

29.744 

24,641 

7,588 

5,667 

67  640 

Ceiba 

9  915 

8  213 

2,529 

1  895 

22  552 

Luquillo 

7  082 

5  867 

1  807 

1  354 

16  110 

Rio  Grande 

24  079 

19  947 

6  142 

4  584 

54  752 

Guanica: 
Guayanilla 

64  976 

67  081 

21  542 

20  291 

161,054 
173  890 

Yauco 

110,636 

114,  218 

36,680 

34,549 

296,083 

469,973 

HiiTM^ftrt 

33.453 

28.  695 

11,090 

28,336 

101,574 

Culebra 

5  818 

4  990 

1,929 

4,928 

17,665 

Naguabo 

23  272 

19  961 

7  714 

19  712 

70  659 

14  545 

12  476 

4  822 

12  320 

44  163 

Piedras 

17.454 

14,971 

5,786 

14,784 

52,995 

Vieques 

21,  817 

18  714 

7,232 

18,480 

66,243 

Yabucoa 

29  089 

24  952 

9,643 

24,640 

88,324 

441,623 

REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        191 


Receipts  and  distribution  of  food  for  hurricane  sufferers,  etc. — Continued. 
SUPPLIES  RECEIVED— Continued. 


Rice. 

Beans. 
\ 

Codfish. 

Bacon. 

Miscella- 
neous. 

District 
total. 

Lares: 
Lares  

Rations. 

336,492 

Rations, 
191,  608 

Rations. 
60,432 

Rations. 
12,  152 

Rations. 

32,278 

Rations. 
532,962 

San  Sebastian 

207,208 

167,882 

52,948 

10,648 

28,282 

466,968 

Manati  • 

999,930 

Manati 

821,  101 

445,394 

157  016 

50  424 

39  669 

1  513  604 

Barcelonita  

625,601 

339,347 

119,  631 

38,419 

30,224 

i.153,222 

Ciales 

1,094,801 

593,  858 

209,355 

67  233 

52  892 

2  018  139 

Morovis  

703,801 

381,766 

134,585 

43,221 

34,002 

1,297,375 

VegaAlta  . 

117,300 

63,628 

22,431 

7,203 

5,667 

216,  220 

VegaBaja  

547,401 

296,930 

104,  678 

33,616 

26,446 

1,009,071 

7,207,640 

Mayaguez  

294,487 

180,  782 

53,357 

28,560 

20  530 

•        577,716 

Anasco  . 

588,  975 

361,564 

106,  715 

57  120 

41  060 

1  155  434 

CaboRojo  

721,823 

443,739 

130,968 

70,100 

50,394 

1,417,024 

Las  Marias 

588,974 

361,567 

106,  715 

57,  120 

41  060 

1,  155,  436 

Maricao  

482,899 

295,824 

87,313 

46,732 

33,596 

946,364 

5,251,974 

Ponce  

378,596 

241,739 

62,915 

26  534 

61  830 

771  614 

Coanao 

256,468 

163  759 

42,620 

17  975 

41  884 

522  706 

JuanaDiaz  

390,808 

249,537 

64,945 

27,390 

63  824 

796,504 

Penuelas 

146,553 

93,  577 

24,354 

10  271 

23  934 

298  689 

Santa  Isabel  

48,851 

31,  192 

8,118 

3,423 

7,978 

99,562 

2,489,075 

San  Juan 

63,492 

25,419 

12,  196 

15  015 

2  068 

118  190 

Carolina 

75  037 

30  041 

14  413 

17  745 

2  444 

139  680 

Loiza  

20,202 

8,088 

3,881 

4  778 

'658 

37  607 

Trujillo  Alto 

63,^92 

25  419 

12  196 

15  015 

2  068 

118  190 

RioPiedras  

66,379 

26,574 

12,750 

15  697 

2  162 

123  562 

537,229 

San  German 

172,675 

120,  764 

50  488 

5  088 

31  680 

380  695 

Lajas 

50  364 

35  223 

14  726 

1  484 

9  240 

111  037 

Sabana  Grande   , 

136,  701 

95,605 

39,  970 

4  028 

25  080 

30l'384 

Miscellaneous  distribution. 

1,097,797 

594,861 

146,  112 

104,766 

277,  134 

793,116 

2,220,670 

Grand  total  

15,878,697 

9,982,529 

3,114,572 

1,123,522 

2,088,094 

32,187,414 

192       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF   POETO   EICO. 


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194   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


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REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   195 


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196       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 


REPORT    OF   OFFICER    DETAILED    TO    AUDIT   ACCOUNTS   OF 
RELIEF   WORK. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

OFFICE  OF  THE  JUDGE-ADVOCATE, 

San  Juan,  August  23, 1900. 
The  ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  In  compliance  with  instructions  from  the  commanding  general 
conveyed  by  letter  from  your  office  under  date  of  July  25,  ultimo, 
directing  me  "to  audit  returns  of  receipts  and  issues  by^persons  who 
were  charged  with  the  issue  of  food  to  the  destitute  of  Porto  Rico 
who  were  sufferers  from  the  effects  of  the  hurricane  in  1899,"  I  have 
the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report: 

The  organization  of  the  board  of  charities  on  August  12,  four  days 
after  the  hurricane,  was  the  first  step  toward  the  work  of  relief.  The 
details  of  this  organization,  with  the  plan  of  operations  by  which  it 
received  and  distributed  the  enormous  bulk  of  food  stuffs,  clothing, 
medicines,  lumber,  roofing,  nails,  and  other  material  which  was  poured 
into  the  island  from  the  United  States  with  most  lavish  generosity, 
have  been  made  the  subject  of  exhaustive  reports  by  Major  Hoff,  pres- 
ident of  the  board,  and  Major  Cruse,  receiving  quartermaster.  They 
therefore  need  no  detailed  mention  here. 

An  examination  of  the  returns  and  vouchers  shows  that  the  work  as 
organized  was  well  carried  out. 

The  first  issue  was  made  on  August  16, 1899,  and  consisted  of  beans 
and  rice  advanced  or  loaned  from  stores  on  hand  in  the  depot  and  post 
commissaries.  On  August  19  the  first  consignment  from  the  United 
States  arrived  by  the  transport  McPherson,  after  which  date  supplies 
continued  to  come  in  for  several  months  at  intervals  of  five  or  six  days. 

The  issue  of  beans  and  rice  above  referred  to  was  returned  to  the 
Subsistence  Department  from  supplies  thus  received  by  transport. 
All  stores  received  through  the  chief  commissary  were  properly  taken 
up  and  receipted  for  by  Major  Cruse,  who  thereafter  shipped  them  to 
relief  stations  on  requisition  duly  approved  by  the  board  of  charities 
Distributing  depots  were  established  at  convenient  points ;  issues  made 
to  these  depots  were  reported  to  the  board  by  Major  Cruse  on  semi- 
weekly  returns.  As  the  work  progressed  and  became  better  organized 
these  returns  (after  September  22)  were  rendered  at  the  end  of  each  week. 

Army  officers  (and  in  some  instances  noncommissioned  officers)  were 
stationed  at  the  distributing  depots  and  returned  receipts  in  duplicate 
for  supplies  furnished  them.  Issues  were  also  made  in  like  manner  to 
the  medical  supply  depot,  the  Women's  Aid  Society  of  San  Juan,  the 
Benevolent  Society  of  Ponce,  the  Municipal  Asylum  of  San  Juan,  and 
to  planters  and  other  private  individuals,  such  issues  being  covered 
by  proper  receipts,  which,  with  some  exceptions  noted  below,  are  filed 
with  the  semiweekly  and  weekly  returns.  From  the  distributing  sta- 
tions issues  were  made  in  smaller  quantities  to  subdepots  in  charge  of 
noncommissioned  officers  and  intelligent  privates,  who  in  turn  deliv- 
ered the  food  direct  to  the  people  on  ration  tickets,  which  were  filed  as 
vouchers  to  their  returns.  (Attention  is  invited  in  this  connection  to 
the  detailed  statement  of  Colonel  Nye,  chief  commissary,  herewith 
inclosed,  showing  the  total  receipts  and  issues  and  money  values 
thereof,  aggregating  $831,480.16.  This  statement  relates  to  supplies 
furnished  by  the  United  States  Government,  and  does  not  include 
donations  from  private  sources. ) 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   197 

The  same  system  was  followed  in  the  distribution  of  supplies  received 
from  private  sources,  although  in  many  cases  such  shipments  were 
not  accompanied  by  invoices  nor  even  listed  on  the  ship's  manifest. 
In-these  cases  the  stores  were  taken  up  on  the  returns  according  to  the 
marks  on  the  packages,  or  where  no  marks  were  found  contents  were 
verified  and  weight  estimated.  In  these  cases  notations  were  made 
explanatory  of  the  absence  of  the  invoice  or  of  the  incorrectness  of 
the  parcel  list  or  manifest.  Thus,  in  the  column  of  remarks  in  the 
return  for  September  9  is  found  the  notation:  "There  is  no  correct 
invoice  of  the  McClellari's  cargo.  These  figures  show  the  amount  sup- 
posed to  be  over." 

An  assorted  cargo  of  flour,  beans,  herring,  soap,  clothing,  lumber, 
nails,  etc. ,  donated  by  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  was  brought  in 
the  U.  S.  S.  Panther.  Four  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-seven 
parcels  were  counted  out,  the  weights  of  which  were  estimated  and 
taken  on  the  returns  as  aggregating  1,631,620  pounds.  In  the  urgency 
for  relief  at  this  date  (September  4)  time  did  not  permit  the  open- 
ing of  packages  and  verifying  weights  and  contents.  Later  on  the 
lists  became  more  accurate,  although  in  the  case  of  clothing  and  medi- 
cines itemized  inventories  were  not  sent,  such  shipments  being  listed 
as  "so  many  boxes  of  clothing,"  etc.  Under  these  circumstances  it 
was  manifestly  impossible  to  keep  a  record  by  weights  and  amounts 
with  the  exactness  required  for  military  supplies  by  Army  Regulations. 

The  supplies,  having  once  been  landed,  however,  were  all  carefully 
stored  and  placed  under  guard,  and  all  issues,  except  those  of  cloth- 
ing as  above  noted  and  some  issues  of  the  Ad  juntas  district  noted 
below,  can  be  traced  by  means  of  the  returns  and  vouchers  from  the 
general  supply  depot  to  the  various  districts,  divisions,  and  subdepots. 

The  ration  tickets  contained  a  receipt  which  was  generally  signed 
by  the  recipient — though  not  in  all  cases — many  illiterates  signing 
only  by  cross  mark  or  thumb  impression.  These  tickets,  numbering 
several  millions,  were  returned  with  the  vouchers  and  filed  with  the 
returns  for  examination  and  verification,  if  desired. 

In  some  few  cases  discrepancies  are  noted  between  the  invoices  and 
receipts.  These  may  be  explained  by  the  fact  that  issues  were  made 
at  the  central  depot  without  breaking  packages,  resulting  in  a  differ- 
ence between  the  amount  called  for  and  the  amount  shipped  out. 
Through  these  gains,  and  also  through  the  receipt  of  stores  without 
invoice  or  manifest,  there  was  a  considerable  accumulation  at  the 
depot,  which  from  time  to  time  was  taken  up  and  duly  accounted  for. 
Thus,  on  September  3  there  was  taken  up  as  "found  at  depot"  13 
barrels  herring,  5  barrels  compressed  food;  on  September  21,  1  barrel 
groceries;  on  December  4,  300,000  pounds  beans,  100,000  pounds  rice; 
June  7,  31,840  pounds  beans;  June  30,  74,246  pounds  rice,  and  vari- 
ous other  items  in  smaller  quantities.  In  the  Ad  juntas  division  the 
returns  show  a  total  receipt  and  distribution  of  277,610  pounds  beans, 
250,426  pounds  rice,  80,282  pounds  codfish,  12,600  pounds  bacon,  16 
boxes  of  clothing,  and  other  supplies  in  less  quantities.  Major  Cruse's 
returns  check  with  these  amounts  except  as  to  a  shipment  entered  on 
his  return  for  September  13,  consisting  of  9,155  pounds  beans,  24,000 
pounds  rice,  15  barrels  corned  beef,  60  boxes  hard  bread,  1  barrel 
pork,  5  boxes  tongue,  2  boxes  compressed  food,  and  5  boxes  of  oat- 
meal. The  only  record  of  this  shipment  is  the  return  of  September 
13,  referred  to,  there  being  no  invoice,  receipt,  or  other  evidence  of 
its  shipment  among  the  papers.  It  is  probable  that  these  articles 
were  entered  on  a  requisition  for  Adjuntas  and  thus  dropped  as  hav- 
ing been  shipped.  There  is  no  record  of  any  bill  of  lading  covering 


198   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

them.  The  accumulations  in  the  storehouse  in  excess  of  issues  and 
amounts  dropped  through  wastage,  and  which  were  taken  up  as 
"found  at  depot,"  doubtless  include  these  missing  items  of  rice  and 
beans.  There  was  also  taken  up  on  June  30,  29  boxes  of  hard  bread, 
which  may  be  a  portion  of  the  60  boxes  above  enumerated.  The 
remaining  items  do  not  appear  to  be  accounted  for.  As  this  was  one 
of  the  early  transactions  in  the  relief  work  when  there  was  still  con- 
siderable haste  and  confusion,  it  is  probable  that  these  stores  were 
issued  without  the  formality  of  taking  receipts. 

Regarding  the  entire  management  of  the  relief  work,  considering 
its  stupendous  proportions,  the  character  of  the  people  to  be  succored 
and  assisted,  and  the  difficulties  of  transportation  in  reaching  them, 
the  returns  and  records  indicate  that  it  was  conducted  with  business- 
like care  and  that  the  relief  was  honestly  and  intelligently  applied. 
Very  respectfully, 

A.  C.  SHARPE, 
Acting  Judge- Advocate. 


Recapitulation  of  money  values. 

Purchases  in  New  York $823,027.67 

Stores  on  hand,  Department  of  Porto  Rico 8, 452. 49 


Distributed  from  San  Juan _.     824,828.12 

Distributed  at  other  points _ 6, 652. 04 


$831,480.16 


831,480.16 


Statement  of  cost  of  supplies  issued  to  Porto  Rican  destitutes  in  the  Military  Depart- 
ment of  Porto  Rico  from  stores  on  hand  from  August  8,  1899,  to  November  30, 
1899,  by  Lieut.  Col.  F.  E.  Nye,  assistant  commissary-general  of  subsistence,  chief 
commissary,  Department  of  Porto  Rico. 

Depot, San  Juan '. ...  $1,800.45 

Post,  Arecibo ,        171.76 

Post,  Humacao. 67. 23 

Post,  Aibonito  _ 603.58 

Post,  Ponce ... 5,809.47 


Total  from  stores  on  hand 8,452.49 

F.  E.  NYE, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Assistant  Commissary-General 

of  Subsistence,  Chief  Commissary. 
SAN  JUAN,  June  16, 1900. 


Statement  of  articles,  and  quantities,  issued  from  Ponce,  Aibonito,  and  Arecibo  to 
Porto  Rican  destitutes  from  August,  1899,  to  June,  1900,  inclusive. 


Hard  bread pounds..  60,740 

Beans  do....  1,249 

Bacon do 3, 720 

Tomatoes gallons. .  180 

Salt ..pounds..  198 

Coffee do....  1,268 

Prunes do 484 

Sugar,  C.  L ..do....  88 

Sugar,issue do  ...  2,087 

Salmon cans..  988 

Pepper pounds ..  54 

Mackerel do....  326£ 

Onions. do 2,293 

Matches boxes. .  108 

Money  value,  $6,652.04. 

SAN  JUAN,  June  30, 1900. 


Flour pounds..  19,172 

Rice  .     .do 977 

Fresh  beef do....  5,504* 

Tomatoes 3-pound  cans . .  386 

Hominy,. pounds..  42 

Peaches,  dried ...do....  481 

Apples,  dried do 503 

Sugar,  granulated do 

Baking  powder ..do 96 

Soap do....  523 

Milk .cans..  48 

P9tatoes pounds..  8,533 

Vinegar gallons. .  115 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   199 

Statement  of  articles  and  amounts  of  issues  to  Porto  Rican  destitutes  from  August, 
1899,  to  June,  1900,  inclusive,  by  Lieut.  Col.  F.  E.  Nye,  assistant  commissary-gen- 
eral of  subsistence,  chief  commissary,  Department  of  Porto  Rico. 


Bacon    pounds..  1,098,914 

Hard  bread do 268,080 

Corn  meal do...-  5,900 

Beans do....  8,695,916 

Rice do,...  14,483,966 

Codfish do....  2,868,498 

Fish: 

Hake do  ...  51,200 

Haddock do....  28,928 

Beans ,  baked,  3-pound  cans . .  11, 856 

Pease pounds . .  455, 696 

Oatmeal do 15,258 


Hominy , ...  pounds.. 

Crackers,  milk  _ do 

Tongue,  beef,  2-pound  cans. 
Beef: 

Roast pounds . . 

Do. .2-pound  cans.. 
Do -.6-pound  cans_. 

Corned pounds . . 

Boiled do 


30, 400 

327i 
2,268 

2,560 
368 
8 

15, 953 
21 

27, 782, 505 


Money  value,  $824,828.12. 

F.  E.  NYE, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Assistant  Commissary- General  of  Subsistence. 

SAN  JUAN,  June  20, 1900. 


GENERAL  REVIEW  OF  ECONOMIC  CONDITIONS. 

On  September  25,  1899,  I  had  the  honor  to  present  a  preliminary 
report  of  the  relief  work,  in  which  was  given  an  outline  of  organiza- 
tion, estimates  of  material,  transportation,  time,  etc. 

On  November  30  I  also  submitted  a  report  on  the  progress  of  relief 
up  to  that  date,  and  some  recommendations.  As  both  of  these  reports 
may  be  of  interest  in  a  general  review  of  the  work,  I  venture  to 
append  copies  of  them  hereto.  (See  pp.  298.) 

ECONOMIC   CONDITIONS. 

Economic  conditions  in  Porto  Rico  on  August  7,  1899,  may  be  said 
to  have  been  in  unstable  equilibrium.  An  almost  bloodless  invasion 
had  occurred,  in  which  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  practically  with- 
out harm  to  people  and  property,  the  sovereignty  of  Spain  was  sub- 
stituted by  that  of  the  United  States,  and  their  military  government 
was  replaced  by  ours.  The  gentle  outflow  of  money  caused  by  the 
departure  of  the  Spanish  army  and  sympathizers  was  more  than  com- 
pensated for  by  what  we  brought,  and  all  was  as  well  as  usual  with 
Porto  Rico  until  that  fateful  8th  of  August.  To  be  sure,  food  had 
been  issued  to  the  people  from  the  military  stores  during  the  spring 
of  1899,  and  many  thousands  of  them  had  been  employed  on  public 
works,  on  account  of  lack  of  other  work  and  consequent  suffering, 
but  I  am  persuaded  that  this  is  an  old  story  in  Porto  Rico. 

The  value  of  all  kinds  of  property  here  on  that  day  may  be  said  to 
have  been  not  much  less  than  $100,000,000,  which  was  mortgaged  to 
the  extent  of  $10,000,000.  The  population  numbered  960,000,  or 
about  260  to  the  square  mile,  and  nearly  800,000  could  neither  read 
nor  write.  Most  of  these  lived  in  bark  huts,  and  were  in  effect  the 
personal  property  of  the  landed  proprietors.  When  work  was  obtained, 
they  received  35  cents  for  a  day's  labor,  which  they  would  invest  in 
sugar,  tobacco,  coffee,  rum,  lard,  salt,  and  occasionally  clothing;  when 
not,  they  continued  to  live  on  plantains,  bananas,  potatoes,  and  other 
so-called  fruta  minora  of  the  country.  They  were  poor  bejrond  the 
possibility  of  our  understanding,  and  if  they  were  so  fortunate  as  to 
have  enough  for  the  current  hour  they  were  content. 


200       REPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 


Of  the  800,000  peons,  more  or  less,  250,000  depended,  directly  or 
indirectly,  upon  the  coffee  production  here. 

The  condition  of  the  coffee  industry  was  flourishing.  Probably  not 
less  than  $25,000,000  was  invested  in  it,  and,  exclusive  of  home  con- 
sumption, $3,600,000  worth  of  coffee  was  annually  exported. 

A  promising  crop,  valued  at  $7,500,000,  was  rapidly  reaching  matu- 
rity, giving  work  to  thousands  and  sustenance  to  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands of  the  laboring  classes,  when  suddenly  in  a  night  this  crop  was 
destroyed  and  the  farms  which  produced  it  damaged  to  the  extent  of 
one-half  of  their  value.  Other  industries  and  other  properties  suf- 
fered as  well,  but  none  to  the  extent  of  or  with  such  far-reaching 
results  as  the  coffee  farms. 

The  hurricane  of  August  8,  1899,  is  not  without  precedent  in  Porto 
Rico.  History  records  over  thirty  visitations  of  this  character,  but 
there  is  good  reason  to  believe  that  none  reached  the  proportions  of 
this,  and  certainly  none  ever  threatened  so  large  a  population.  The 
actual  conditions  obtaining  during  the  storm  are  impossible  of  descrip- 
tion, and  the  immediate  results  are  but  barely  recounted  in  the  reports 
from  all  sources  which  are  on  file  in  this  office.  These  reports  are  of 
the  utmost  value,  for  they  are  the  statements  of  eyewitnesses,  and  in 
any  account  of  this  period  of  the  history  of  Porto  Rico  can  not  be 
ignored.  I  have  therefore  quoted  them  in  extenso. 

It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  Porto  Rico,  though  an  agricultural  and 
stock-raising  country,  does  not  produce  sufficient  food  to  sustain  her 
population.  There  seems  to  be  no  reason  for  this,  certainly  so  far  as 
area  is  concerned.  Of  her  2,000,000  acres  over  1,000,000  are  used  as 
pasture  and  half  a  million  are  estimated  to  be  in  swamps,  woods,  and 
barrens,  so  that  practically  75  per  cent  of  the  area  is  uncultivated. 
It  is  difficult  to  realize  that  much  the  larger  part  of  the  food  of  a  mil- 
lion people  here  is  raised  on  little  more  than  100,000  acres;  but  such 
is  the  fact. 

The  following  table,  taken  from  ttie  official  summary  of  the  com- 
merce of  Porto  Rico,  furnishes  valuable  information  bearing  on  the 
food  supply,  which  is  emphasized  by  the  fact  that  the  population  in 
1899  must  have  been  many  thousands  more  than  in  1895: 

Leading  articles  of  import  during  the  years  1894  and  1895  as  compared  with  1899 

[Figures  covering  years  1894  and  1895  were  taken  from  Bulletin  No.  13,  United  States  Depart 
ment  of  Agriculture,  Section  of  Foreign  Markets.] 


18 

94. 

181 

)5. 

189* 

t. 

Quantities. 

Values. 

Quantities. 

Values. 

Quantities. 

Values. 

Rice                             pounds 

72  674  540 

$2,226  763 

74  145,046 

$2,  271,  819 

45,  657,  421 

§1,030,875 

Wheat  flour  barrels  . 

238,794 

1,434,075 

170,460 

1,023,694 

104,492 

456,309 

Hog  products  pounds 

8,678,006 

1,139,554 

9,706,556 

1,274,618 

10,  858,  729 

601,912 

Wines                          gallons 

1,139,794 

537,967 

1,038,484 

431,536 

228,785 

141,046 

Vegetables,  including  pulse, 
pounds  

18,838,826 

509,854 

15,633,877 

400,660 

3,024,140 

223,497 

Cheese  pounds 

1,322,361 

347,289 

1,286,178 

337,  790 

923,468 

116,454 

563  373 

221  938 

453  199 

178  536 

16  955 

Malt    liquors    and   cider, 
gallons 

137  976 

105  299 

139  803 

107,243 

214,071 

Cotton  fabrics            pounds 

5  498  534 

2  932  921 

3  791  411 

2,070,667 

1,585,438 

Fish  do 

26,046,046 

1,691,865 

30,339,905 

1,918,107 

18,211,327 

634,699 

Wood  and  manufactures  of 

1,391,766 

840,511 

255,509 

Leather,  and  manufactures 
of 

877  153 

711,417 

460,317 

Tobacco,  and  mamifactures 

466  143 

409  617 

790  317 

692  333 

635 

Iron  and  steel,  and  manufac- 
tures of...           ...  pounds.  . 

13.541.931 

769.  860 

11,884,866 

658,413 

8,812,509 

296,994 

EEPOET  OF  THE  BOAED  OF  CHAEITIES  OF  POETO  EICO.   201 

Leading  articles  of  import  during  the  years  1894  and  1895,  etc. — Continued. 


18< 

)4. 

18( 

)5. 

189< 

J. 

Quantities. 

Values. 

Quantities. 

Values. 

Quantities. 

Values. 

Fabrics  of  hemp,  flax,  etc., 
pounds       -.  

1,  982,  765 

$412,549' 

2,364,ia5 

$408,974 

771,511 

$151,951 

Machinery    and    apparatus, 
pounds  „  

3,237,002 

296,629 

3,350,354 

344.879 

191,600 

Paper,  pasteboard,  and  man- 
ufactures of             pounds 

3  680,280 

305,043 

2,  376,  014 

196,197 

165,  715 

Mineral  oils,  crude  and  re- 
fined                         pounds 

5,630,004 

122,  776 

Il,a55,094 

169,  629 

304,190 

36,868 

Cotton  yarns  and   threads, 
pounds  

166,  610 

145,856 

177,013 

154,  964 

121,  814 

67,  082 

Woolens                      pounds 

181,218 

262,  648 

107,  574 

154,  947 

123,  195 

Glass  and  glassware  pounds 

2  734  836 

152  430 

2  503  617 

125,  688 

55,029 

The  only  available  statistics  as  to  the  production  of  food  crops  is 
that  furnished  in  a  note  dated  December  15,  1899,  from  the  bureau  of 
agriculture,  Porto  Rico,  in  which  it  is  stated  that  the  annual  produc- 
tion of  corn  in  Porto  Rico  amounts  to  18,000,000  pounds  and  of  rice 
10,000,000  pounds.  No  estimate  is  made  of  the  production  of  potatoes, 
bananas,  plantains,  etc. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  in  1899  there  were  received 
through  the  custom-house  78,949,577  pounds  of  food;  add  to  which 
19,093,811  pounds  sent  for  the  relief  work  up  to  December  31,  and  the 
total  food  importation  for  the  year  is  found  to  be  98,043,338  pounds, 
against  134,735,221  pounds  inported  in  1895,  when  the  home  supply 
was  normal  and  the  population  less.  Under  such  conditions  can  any- 
one question  the  necessity  for  food  distribution? 

I  will  venture  to  add  another  table  from  the  same  source  as  throw- 
ing additional  light  upon  this  subject : 

Leading  articles  of  export  during  the  years  1894  and  1895  as  compared  with  those 

of  1899. 

[Figures  covering  years  1894  and  1895  were  taken  from  Bulletin  No.  13,  United  States  Depart 
ment  of  Agriculture,  Section  of  Foreign  Markets.] 


IN 

4. 

18J 

5. 

189£ 

. 

Quantities. 

Values. 

Quantities. 

Values. 

Quantities. 

Values. 

Coffee   pounds.. 

50,507,159 

$11,496,082 

40,  243,  693 

$9,  159,  985 

45,328  298 

$5  164  210 

Sugar  ....               do  . 

106,  723,  699 

3  169  895 

132  147  277 

3  905  741 

99  160  293 

2  670  288 

Molasses                      do 

15  957  253 

244  466 

35  219  823 

539  571 

i  3  415  058 

647  373 

Leaf  tobacco   do  ... 

3,  369,  616 

619,  474 

3  665  051 

673  787 

3  313  534 

331  729 

Cattle       '             number 

4  306 

166  212 

3  674 

141  816 

2  852  167 

Hides  and  skins  ..  pounds.  . 

762,  197 

63,389 

646,884 

53,799 

71  975 

i  Gallons. 


2  Cattle  are  not  shown  separately;  includes  all  animals. 


It  will  be  observed  that  nearly  seven  times  as  many  cattle  were 
exported  and  but  a  little  over  3  per  cent  more  hides,  which,  consider- 
ing the  increase  in  population,  indicates  that  no  more  meat  was  eaten 
per  capita  than  in  1895.  The  extraordinary  exportation  indicates 
not  alone  that  prices  were  good,  but  also  that  the  cattle  owners  feared 
the  starving  peons  would  not  hesitate  to  help  themselves  to  their  neigh- 
bor's ox. 

There  never  has  been  any  doubt  in  my  mind  that  since  August  last 
starvation  has  stared  this  people  in  the  face,  and  food  distribution 


202   EEPOET  OF  THE  BOAED  OF  CHAEITIES  OF  POETO  EICO. 

was  absolutely  necessary,  but  sometimes  the  thought  has  occurred  to 
me  that,  liberal  as  the  distribution  was,  there  have  been  times  and 
places  where  more  food  was  needed  than  was  received. 

In  spite  of  the  temporary  annihilation  of  the  natural  sources  of  food 
supply  there  was  no  lack  of  food  for  immediate  wants  for  several 
weeks  after  the  hurricane.  On  the  contrary,  there  was  even  more  food 
than  usual,  for  the  fruit,  of  which  the  trees  were  completely  denuded, 
strewed  the  ground  in  every  direction,  and  that  which  ordinarily 
would  have  proved  a  constant  source  of  supply  was  there  to  eat  or 
leave,  with  the  assurance  that  in  a  few  days  it  would  no  longer  be 
available  for  edible  purposes. 

Based  upon  a  canvass  of  the  amount  of  food  in  possession  of  the 
merchants  of  San  Juan  August  10,  1899,  it  was  estimated  that  there 
was  in  Porto  Rico  probably  at  least  four  weeks'  supply  of  imported 
food  available  for  the  population,  and  that  thereafter,  unless  there 
was  some  other  reserve  or  further  importation,  in  a  short  time  thou- 
sands of  people  would  starve  to  death. 

The  food  vegetables  raised  here  consist  chiefly  of  beans,  rice,  corn, 
and  potatoes.  These  are  usually  planted  at  the  beginning  of  the  rainy 
season — in  May  or  June — and  mature  in  July  or  August.  There  is  a 
theory  that  crops  will  grow  here  throughout  the  year,  but  such  cer- 
tainly has  not  been  the  experience  of  the  last  year,  which,  however, 
was  unusually  dry,  and  during  which,  except  in  a  few  especially 
favored  localities,  all  efforts  to  grow  food  crops  have  been  futile. 

The  authorities  were  not  slow  to  appreciate  the  immediate  necessity 
for  planting,  and  urged  and  assisted  the  people  to  do  so.  They 
required  every  planter  who  received  relief  supplies  to  plant  for  the 
benefit  of  each  laborer  a  specified  space  with  seeds  of  food  plants, 
but  very  little  resulted  from  these  efforts,  and  thousands  have  been 
forced  to  subsist  upon  the  roots  and  herbs  which  ordinarily  fall  to  the 
share  of  the  hogs. 

A  considerable  percentage  of  the  crops  that  had  been  gathered  or 
were  in  the  ground  at  the  time  of  the  hurricane,  including  the  tubers, 
were  lost — blown  away  with  the  destroyed  houses  or  washed  out  of  the 
ground  to  rot  in  the  open. 

Bananas  and  plantains  furnish  the  piece  de  resistance  of  the  Porto 
Rican  dietary.  They  grow  luxuriantly  everywhere,  and  the  banana 
patch  which  is  immediately  contiguous  to  almost  every  shack  more 
than  takes  the  place  of  the  vegetable  gardens  which  accompany  the 
cottages  of  our  own  thrifty  farm  laborers.  An  average  sized  bunch  of 
bananas  will  supply  sustenance  to  an  ordinary  Porto  Rican  family 
for  a  day,  the  laborer  himself  consuming  two  dozen  bananas.  It  is  no 
exaggeration  to  say  that  these  two  kindred  plants  furnish  nearly  one- 
half  of  all  the  food  eaten  by  the  entire  population  of  this  island,  and 
there  is  no  question  that  they  were  practically  all  destroyed  to  the  roots 
on  August  8  last. 

The  foregoing  brief  outline  of  food  habits  and  food  supplies  will 
enable  one  to  form  some  idea  of  what  must  have  been  the  physical 
condition  of  the  inhabitants  at  the  moment  of  the  catastrophe,  what 
their  resisting  power  was,  and  what  was  likely  to  result  from  a  reduc- 
tion by  one-half  of  a  dietary  already  ill  balanced  and  meager. 

A  glance  at  the  mortality  statistics  for  the  past  ten  years  will  show 
that  the  average  death  rate  was  practically  30  per  thousand,  increased 
in  1899  to  41  per  thousand,  due  to  the  large  number  of  deaths  directly 
or  remotely  traceable  to  the  hurricane. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        203 


Deaths  of  the  past  ten  years. 


Year. 

Deaths. 

Rate  per 

1,000. 

Year. 

Deaths. 

Rate  per 
1,(M 

1890 

26  548 

32 

1895 

25,  600 

29  . 

1891 

23,683 

28  ' 

1896... 

24,601 

27.7 

1892 

23,  702 

27.6 

1897     

30,556 

34 

1893 

22  133 

25  7 

1898                                      .     . 

33,350 

35 

1894 

24,745 

28.5 

1899  

39,918 

41 

In  analyzing  and  localizing  the  death  rate  in  Porto  Rico  it  is  found 
that  there  has  been  a  marked  increase  of  mortality  in  the  mountain 
districts,  in  which  are  the  coffee  plantations.  Here  lives  a  consider- 
able proportion  of  the  population  in  abject  poverty.  As  previously 
stated,  the  gross  income  of  the  entire  family  will  hardly  equal  $2  a 
week.  What  wonder  then  that  the  comprehensive  term  '  'anaemia  " 
is  set  down  as  the  cause  of  the  death  of  thousands  of  these  people? 

To  be  sure  more  die  than  should,  or  would,  if  they  had  adequate 
medical  attention,  for  part  of  their  anaemia  is  due  to  a  blood-sucking 
intestinal  parasite ;  but  a  larger  part  is  due  to  insufficient  alimentation. 
In  a  word,  the  people  are  suffering  from  chronic  starvation. 

The  problem  that  presented  itself  for  solution  on  the  9th  of  last 
August  may  be  epitomized  somewhat  as  follows : 

A  population  of  nearly  a  million  souls,  not  less  than  one-quarter  of 
which  was  already  suffering  from  chronic  starvation,  was  in  a  single 
night  deprived  of  more  than  half  of  the  food  it  had  to  depend  upon 
for  the  following  year,  with  no  hope  of  being  able  to  supplement  it 
from  home  sources.  Of  this  population  probably  800,000  were  pen- 
niless. 

Of  these  over  200,000  were  dependent  upon  the  coffee  industry, 
which  suffered  far  more  than  any  other,  and  which  was  utterly  unable 
to  support  its  laborers,  even  in  the  half-starved  condition  in  which 
they  had  heretofore  lived. 

The  government  which  was  called  upon  to  meet  this  emergency  was 
military,  and  its  treasurj7  contained  barely  enough  to  maintain  it 
with  the  utmost  economy.  To  be  sure,  no  war  existed  here,  but  it 
was  a  period  between  war  and  a  time  when  Congress  would  provide  a 
civil  government,  and  the  interval  had  to  be  filled  in  by  some  recog- 
nized authority.  Fortunate  it  was  in  most  respects  that  a  soldier  held 
the  reins  here,  for  it  was  a  moment  in  which  quick  and  decisive 
action  was  necessary.  But  the  limitations  of  a  military  government, 
the  inability  to  provide  pecuniary  means,  except  by  a  forced  loan, 
which  under  the  circumstances  was  inexpedient  or  even  impossible, 
left  but  one  course  open — an  appeal  for  food. 

The  experience  of  the  world  teaches  that  in  widespread  disaster 
involving  large  communities,  in  which  the  question  of  starvation  is 
of  the  first  importance,  employment  for  wages  furnishes  the  most 
satisfactory  solution. 

The  direct  distribution  of  food,  except  as  a  last  resort,  is  demoral- 
izing and  pauperizing.  It  invites  to  idleness  and  its  attendant  evils, 
and  blocks  "the  channels  of  commerce  at  the  periphery. 

All  this  was  realized  by  the  authorities  here;  but  there  was  no 
alternative. 

The  only  public  work  that,  even  under  the  best  conditions,  could  be 
undertaken  in  Porto  Rico  was  road  building.  To  be  sure,  nothing  is 
more  needed,  and  public  money,  if  there  had  been  any,  could  not  have 


204*     REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

been  better  invested.  But  road  building  was  an  impossibility  during 
the  period  following  the  hurricane.  It  was  the  season  of  torrential 
rains,  when  the  heavens  open  and  the  waters  deluge  the  earth — 2,  3, 
or  even  more  inches  fall  in  a  single  short  downpour — and  nothing 
except  the  most  substantial  road  construction  can  withstand  its  force, 
lload  building  was  therefore  out  of  the  question,  and  food  distribu- 
tion was  the  sole  alternative. 

But  what  of  the  proprietors?  What  of  the  farms  that  had  to  be 
restored,  the  houses  rebuilt,  the  thousand  and  one  things  demanding 
labor  usually  paid  for  by  private  means,  obtained  from  private  sources? 
So  far  as  such  means  were  available  they  were  employed,  exactly  as 
they  would  have  been  at  home  or  in  other  countries ;  but  unfortunately 
the  analogy  ceases  here. 

By  General  Orders,  No.  18,  series  1899,  from  these  headquarters, 
the  law  of  foreclosure  was  prorogued  in  the  interest  of  equity  and  to 
save  the  agricultural  industry  from  loss  and  ruin.  At  the  time  this 
order  was  issued  (February  12)  its  effect  was  to  place  the  business  of 
the  island  in  a  state  of  suspended  animation.  The  advice  of  Polonius, 
"Neither  a  borrower  nor  a  lender  be,"  was  perforce  literally  followed, 
and  perhaps  no  great  harm  would  have  resulted  had  the  maturing 
crop  been  harvested.  Unfortunately  this  was  not  to  be,  and  the 
beneficent  effort  to  protect  the  few  weaklings  has  resulted  in  incalcu- 
lable harm  to  the  entire  population,  for  not  a  dollar  can  be  borrowed 
on  realty  security,  and  there  is  no  other  collateral. 

The  people  were  without  available  resources  and  without  the  means 
of  getting  any,  food  was  destroyed,  business  paralyzed,  realty  deprived 
of  its  borrowing  power,  and  the  government  without  authority  to 
negotiate  a  loan.  What  was  then  left  to  be  done  but  to  appeal  to  the 
charitable  for  help? 

THE   HURRICANE. 

What  happened  in  Porto  Rico  on  the  8th  of  August,  1899,  is  known 
to  all  the  world.  The  official  weather  report  says:  "Premonitions 
were  not  wan  ting."  As  far  back  as  the  3d  of  the  month  the  meteoro- 
logical conditions  had  been  peculiar.  On  that  day  calm  was  reported 
at  both  morning  and  evening  observations.  Between  midnight  of  the 
3d  and  8  a.  m.  of  the  4th  there  was  recorded  but  3  miles  of  wind,  and 
from  6.30  p.  m.  of  the  3d  until  6.30  a.m.  of  the  4th  but  4  miles.  This 
unusual  condition  was  spoken  of  at  the  time,  but  the  next  few  days 
presented  nothing  unusual  until  the  morning  observations  of  the 
7th,  when  indications  became  more  marked.  The  barometer  read, 
however,  but  29.96".  About  noon  of  this  date  the  sky  assumed  an 
extremely  hazy  appearance,  and  cumulostratus  clouds  were  observed 
moving  rapidly  from  the  northeast.  Every  appearance  pointed  to  a 
hurricane,  and  it  excited  no  surprise  when  signals  were  ordered  for 
the  island,  the  center  having  been  located  east  of  Dominica.  At  this 
time  the  barometer  read  29.91";  wind  12  miles,  from  the  northeast. 
The  mercury  continued  to  drop  rapidly  until  3  p.  m.,  when  it  read 
29. 86".  The  sky  began  to  be  covered  with  thick  alto-stratus  and  stratus 
clouds,  the  former  moving  from  the  southeast,  the  latter  from  the  north- 
east. From  that  time  on  the  sky  became  more  and  more  overcast,  the 
barometer  fluctuating  between  29.78"  and  29.80". 

About  5.25  p.  m.  light  rain  began,  which  lasted  until  8.15  p.  m.,  to 
be  resumed  later  during  the  night.  At  10  p.  m.  the  barometer  began 
the  downward  course,  which  continued  without  intermission  until  the 
lowest  reading  was  reached,  29.23"  at  8.30  a.  m.  of  the  8th.  At  this 


REPOET  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   205 

time  the  mercury  in  the  tube  was  "pumping"  violently.  It  soon 
began  its  upward  movement,  which  was  rapid,  29.58"  being  reached 
by  noon. 

The  wind  reached  no  very  high  velocity  until  2  a.  m.  of  the  8th. 
From  10  p.  m.  (of  the  7th),  however,  its  velocity  was  extremely  variable, 
coming  in  puffs  of  some  violence  and  then  diminishing  in  force.  At 
5  a.  m.  of  the  8th  it  was  raining  and  blowing  furiously,  both  increas- 
ing until  between  7  and  9  a.  m.,  when  the  hurricane  was  at  its  worst, 
a  velocity  of  85  miles  an  hour  having  been  reached.  The  report  con- 
tinues : 

This  is  what  happened  at  San  Juan,  which  was  on  the  upper  edge  of  the  storm. 
The  center  passed  over  Arroyo,  on  the  southeastern  coast,  between  7.30  and  8.30 
a.  m.,  with  a  barometer  reading  of  27.90"  and  an  estimated  velocity  of  more  than 
100  miles  an  hour.  It  reached  Aguadilla  between  noon  and  1  p.  m.,  having 
traversed  in  that  time  the  entire  length  of  the  island,  leaving  behind  it  a  track 
of  death  and  desolation. 

The  accompanying  diagram  shows  quite  accurately  the  path  of  the 
hurricane. 

Summed  up  in  the  terse  official  report  of  crop  conditions  in  Porto 
Rico — 

The  month  of  August  was  very  unfavorable  for  agriculture,  both  on  account  of 
the  damage  inflicted  by  the  cyclone  of  the  8th  and  insufficient  rain.  The  destruc- 
tive effects  of  the  hurricane  were  general,  and  fruta  minora  were  everywhere 
destroyed.  *  *  *  A  marked  deficit  in  the  next  crop  is  anticipated,  due  largely  to 
the  drought  since  the  hurricane. 

I  approach  with  hesitancy  a  description  of  the  condition  of  the  peo- 
ple during. the  period  immediately  succeeding  the  cyclone,  and  of  the 
long  months  of  suffering  which  followed.  Anything  that  could  be 
said  would  convey  but  an  inadequate  idea  of  what  the  actual  condi- 
tions were,  though  fortunately  there  is  an  abundance  of  material  at 
hand  in  the  way  of  official  reports,  from  which  much  valuable  informa- 
tion is  obtainable. 

On  August  17  the  military  governor  addressed  the  following  com- 
munication to  the  Adjutant- General  of  the  Army: 

SIR:  My  cables  have  been  so  full  respecting  the  physical  effects  and  consequences 
of  the  recent  hurricane  on  August  8  that  it  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to  write  at 
length  concerning  it. 

For  a  more  full  exhibit  of  the  matter  I  submit  herewith  copies  of  reports 
respecting  the  occurrence  from  several  of  the  commanding  officers  of  posts 
throughout  the  island.  I  have  now  heard  from  all  indirectly,  and  from  all  but 
one  directly. 

From  all  that  I  can  learn  concerning  previous  storms,  and  I  have  a  list  of  all 
that  have  been  recorded,  no  other  in  the  history  of  the  island  had  the  severity  of 
this  one  since  that  of  the  2d  of  August,  1837,  but  the  damage  wrought  by  that 
storm  was  insignificant  compared  with  this  for  many  reasons,  one  of  the  principal 
of  which  is  that  the  population  then  was  not  the  half  of  that  now  found  in  Porto 
Kico,  and  the  sugar  industry  had  not  yet  attained  large  development. 

The  center  of  the  storm  track  traversed  the  island  from  east- southeast  to  west- 
northwest.  It  reached  the  southern  coast  near  the  post  of  Humacao  and  left  the 
island  at  about  Mayaguez  on  the  west.  • 

The  city  of  San  Juan  was  near  the  northern  margin  of  the  cyclone  and  escaped 
the  severity  of  the  tornado,  the  wind  velocity  probably  not  exceeding  70  miles  an 
hour,  but  at  Humacao,  Ponce,  and  Mayaguez  the  wind  blew  at  a  velocity  of  quite 
100  miles  an  hour,  and  according  to  some  estimations  at  a  much  greater  velocity. 

The  greatest  damage  was  caused  by  the  flood  of  rainwater,  one  record  showing 
12  inches  of  precipitation  in  a  few  hours.  This  deluged  all  the  main  valleys  and 
swept  away  everything  in  its  track,  while  the  wind  sufficed  to  strip  the  trees  of 
all  semblance  of  foliage,  to  shake  off  nearly  all  the  coffee  berries,  and  to  smash 
down  all  fruit  trees  and  plants. 

The  appearance  of  the  surface  of  the  country  now  very  closely  resembles  a 
northern  region  that  has  been  swept  by  fire,  for  everything  is  brown  and  lifeless. 


206   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


The  quick  response  of  the  Department  to  my  calls  for  assistance  and  the  alacrity 
with  which  the  charitable  people  of  the  States  responded  to  the  necessities  of  the 
unfortunate  will  save  thousands  of  lives  and  make  less  difficult  the  recovery  of  the 
inhabitants  than  would  otherwise  have  been  the  case,  but  no  matter  how  much  be 
given  there  is  certain  to  be  great  and  prolonged  suffering. 

There  is  not  a  road  in  the  island,  either  steam  or  wagon,  that  has  not  been 
wrecked,  and  almost  everything  sent  into  the  interior  must  be  packed  over  the 
most  difficult  of  improvised  trails. 

I  have  issued  supplies  from  available  army  rations,  and  with  the  insular  funds 
have  purchased  stock  from  local  merchants,  and  so  have  relieved  and  am  reliev- 
ing the  pressing  needs  that  can  be  reached. 

Concerning  the  ultimate  industrial  effects  of  the  storm,  I  shall  submit  a  further 
communication. 

Very  respectfully,  G-EO.  W.  DAVIS, 

Brigadier-General,  Commanding. 

At  the  time  of  the  hurricane  there  were  12  military  posts  in  Porto 
Rico,  located  at  strategic  points  and  quite  generally  covering  the 
island.  On  August  11  the  following  order  organizing  the  service  of 
information  and  relief  was  issued : 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  115.  f  San  Juan,  August  11, 1899. 

For  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  exact  conditions  resulting  from  the  recent 
hurricane  obtaining  in  the  various  municipal  districts,  the  island  is  divided  into  12 
inspection  divisions,  corresponding  to  the  12  military  posts,  each  embracing  the 
following-named  municipalities: 


1.  Bayamon. 

2.  Trujillo  Alto. 

3.  Loiza. 


I.   SAN  JUAN. 


4.  Luquillo. 

5.  Rio  Piedras. 

6.  Carolina. 


7.  Rio  Grande. 

8.  Fajardo. 


1.  Patillas. 

2.  Naguabo. 

3.  Juncos. 


II.   HUMACAO. 


4.  Maunabo. 

5.  Ceiba. 

6.  Piedras. 


7.  Yabucoa. 

8.  Arroyo. 


1.  Salinas. 

2.  San  Lorenzo. 


III.   CAYEY. 


3.  Caguas. 

4.  Guayama. 


5.  Gurabo. 


1.  Sabana  del  Palmar. 


IV.   AIBONITO. 

2.  Aguas  Buenas. 


3.  Cidra. 


1.  Juana  Diaz. 

2.  Coamo. 


V.    PONCE. 

3.  Barros. 

4.  Barranquitas. 


5.  Santa  Isabel. 


1.  Cabo  Rojo. 


VI.   SAN   GERMAN. 

2.  Sabana  Grande. 


3.  Lajas. 


1.  Maricao. 

2.  Hormigueros. 


1.  Isabela. 

2.  Mocha. 


VII.  MAYAGUEZ. 

3.  Anasco. 

VIII.  AGUADILLA. 

3.  Rincon. 

4.  San  Sebastian. 


4.  Lias  Marias. 


5.  Aguada. 


EEPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        207 

IX.   ARECIBO. 

1.  Hatillo.  3.  Camuy.  4.  Barceloneta. 

2.  Quebradillas. 

X.    MAN  ATI. 

1.  Vega  Baja,  4.  Corozal.  7.  Toa  Alta. 

2.  Toa  Baja.  5.  dales.  8.  Naranjito. 

3.  Dorado.  6.  Vega  Alta.  9.  Morovis. 

XI.    LARES. 

1.  Utuado. 

XII.   ADJUNTAS. 

1.  Yauco.  2.  Penuelas.  3.  Guayanilla. 

Post  commanders  are  appointed  inspectors  of  the  respective  divisions,  and  will 
at  once  send  out  an  officer,  noncommissioned  officer,  or  intelligent  private  into 
each  municipality  to  ascertain  the  extent  of  damage  to  houses  and  crops,  the 
number  of  injured  and  sick  and  the  number  of  destitute,  the  probable  amount  of 
food  in  the  district  and  the  points  which  demand  immediate  attention.  These 
reports  will  be  sent  to  these  headquarters  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment.  It 
will  also  be  the  duty  of  the  inspectors  to  supervise  the  distribution  of  such  funds 
and  material  as  may  be  sent  for  distribution  to  the  poor  by  the  board  of  charities, 
or  other  sources. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General. 

Accompanying  this  order  a  letter  of  instruction  and  funds  were 
sent  out  to  the  various  post  commanders,  as  suggested  in  the  following: 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  August  11,  1S99. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  In  order  to  meet  the  immediate  necessities  I  have  the  honor  to  recommend 
that  $1,000  be  sent  to  each  post  commander  for  use  in  his  inspection  district. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major,  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  President  Board  of  Charities,  Porto  Rico. 

As  was  to  be  expected,  most  of  the  post  commanders  anticipated 
the  request  for  information,  as  shown  by  the  following  reports : 

POST  OF  LARES,  P.  R.,  August  9,  1900. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  a  severe  hurricane  visited  this  section  on 
the  8th  instant;  no  injury  to  any  of  the  troops,  and  but  few  injuries  among  the 
civilians  of  the  town.  Much  material  damage,  however,  was  done  to  buildings  and 
crops. 

Of  the  buildings  used  by  troops  the  hospital  was  nearly  all  unroofed;  the  tele- 
graph office  and  post-office  adjacent  completely  so;  commissary  and  quartermas- 
ter's storehouse  and  barracks  were  partly  unroofed;  headquarters  office  and 
officers'  quarters  were  damaged  as  to  front  porch  and  roof  by  debris  hurled  against 
it  from  the  house  opposite,  which  was  completely  unroofed.  Stable  shed  at  cor- 
ral was  also  unroofed, 

With  good  weather  this  damage  to  buildings  can  all  be  repaired  in  a  few  days; 
work  now  in  progress.  Commissary  and  other  stores  were  somewhat  damaged  by 
water;  extent  not  yet  known. 

Every  building  in  town  was  damaged  more  or  less.  The  coffee  crop  appears  to 
be  nearly  ruined,  being  beaten  down  to  the  ground  and  the  berries  thrashed  off. 
The  country  is  strewn  with  broken  trees,  and  much  fruit  and  vegetables  have 
been  destroyed. 

The  native  huts  were  laid  flat  or  made  untenable,  and  the  occupants  sought 
shelter  in  stores  and  warehouses. 

The  storm  lasted  from  midnight  of  the  7th  until  sunrise  of  the  9th  instant.    The 


208       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

rainfall  was  tremendous  even  for  this  country,  being  continuous  and  heavy  during 
the  whole  storm. 

The  telegraph  lines  went  down  during  the  night  of  the  7th.  Repair  parties 
will  start  toward  both  Utuado  and  Aguadilla  to-morrow.  No  mail  was  received 
or  sent  yesterday. 

Very  respectfully. 

HARRY  R.  LEE, 
Captain,  Eleventh  Infantry,  Commanding. 


POST  OF  AIBONITO,  P.  R.,  August  9,  1899. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  Porto  Rico. 

SIR:  The  storm  is  apparently  at  an  end.  It  rained  all  night.  All  Government 
property  totally  destroyed.  The  town  is  almost  a  total  wreck;  not  a  house  but 
what  was  considerably  damaged  or  totally  destroyed.  The  distress  of  the  natives 
is  simply  appalling.  We  must  have  aid  as  speedily  as  possible;  I  am  issuing  my 
troop  rations.  Will  send  wagons  to  Ponce  as  speedily  as  possible,  probably  not 
before  to-morrow.  Whatever  I  may  do  in  aiding  the  distressed  people,  I  hope 
will  meet  with  the  approval  of  the  department  commander.  The  natives  are 
without  food,  money,  or  shelter. 
Respectfully, 

H.  W.  WHEELER, 
Captain,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding  Post. 


POST  OF  HUMACAO,  P.  R.,  August  10,  1899. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico. 

SIR:  1  have  the  honor  to  report  as  follows  on  conditions  in  this  district.  The 
worst  reports  are  from  Yabucao.  Ninety  are  dead  and  buried  this  morning.  A 
large  number  are  missing  and  a  great  number  are  wounded.  There  is  a  great 
scarcity  of  food  and  medical  supplies.  We  have  sent  a  doctor  and  some  medicines, 
but  no  food.  Yabucao  contains  about  2,500  inhabitants,  and  is  nearly  destroyed. 
The  walls  of  the  church  only  are  standing.  From  Vieques  no  very  serious  reports 
are  received.  Las  Piedras  no  loss  of  life,  but  village  is  destroyed,  except  one 
house.  The  post  of  Humacao  is  destroyed  and  about  30  drowned  and  killed. 
Post  of  Naguabo  destroyed,  and  no  deaths;  Naguabo  loss  not  great.  Humacao  30 
odd  deaths,  and  other  conditions  the  same.  In  northern  part  of  district  loss  seems 
to  be  less  than  here.  I  have  no  reports  from  portions  south  of  Yabucao.  Norman 
H.  North,  a  teamster  in  the  qartermaster's  department,  formerly  of  Troop  O,  Fifth 
Cavalry,  was  drowned.  His  home  is  at  Snow  Hill,  Md.  I  will  have  one  lighter 
ready  to  receive  freight  from  a  steamer  to-morrow,  but  not  more  than  two  wagons. 
Considerable  work  has  been  done  on  the  road  to  Playa,  and  if  we  had  wagons  we 
could  probably  haul  freight  after  to-morrow.  The  disaster  to  the  fruit  and  crops 
seems  to  be  very  great.  Notwithstanding  the  desperate  condition  of  the  people, 
it  is  hard  to  get  work  done.  I  had  to  force  men  to  work  on  the  road  to-day,  under 
guard,  but  with  a  promise  of  food  and  pay.  A  guard  had  to  be  sent  with  men 
working  on  the  telegraph  line  also. 

The  chief  of  police  gathered  up  laborers  to  work  on  the  bakeries  which  are 
absolutely  necessary  at  this  time.  I  see  nothing  of  the  insular  police.  If  they 
were  under  my  orders  I  could  use  them  and  save  my  own  men  considerable  work 
which  may  now  be  necessary.  I  have  had  requests  to  send  troops  to  places  where 
I  know  there  ought  to  be  sufficient  insular  police. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

EBEN  SWIFT, 
Captain,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding. 


CAYEY,  P.  R.,  August  10, 1899. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico. 

SIR:  The  more  full  the  reports  of  the  hurricane  become  the  more  serious  the 
situation  appears.  There  are  reported  dead  in  the  town  and  vicinity  from  25  to  50. 
The  first  estimate  is  almost  entirely  too  low,  and  even  the  second  may  be  exceeded. 
Everything  has  been  destroyed,  even  the  bananas  on  which  these  people  rely  as  a 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        209 

last  resource.  They  are  now  eating  the  green  ones  broken  off  by  the  storm,  but 
they  will  only  last  a  few  days,  and  then  the  people  will  actually  starve  if  some- 
thing is  not  done  to  help  them.  The  town  is  now  full  of  homeless  people  begging 
food.  The  alcalde  is  doing  all  he  can;  he  distributed  a  quantity  of  food  to-day 
and  will  continue  to  do  what  he  can  to  alleviate  the  horrors  of  famine  which  will 
surely  ensue  here  if  help  does  not  come  from  abroad  and  quickly.  From  all 
reports  that  I  can  gather  it  would  seem  that  three  months  is  as  soon  as  a  new  sup- 
ply of  food  can  possibly  be  grown  here.  If  work  could  be  provided  of  course  it 
would  be  better,  but  where  work  is  to  come  from  with  all  the  coffee  plantations 
destroyed  I  can  not  see.  I  have  employed  all  the  men  that  could  possibly  work  in 
cleaning  away  the  debris  of  the  barracks  and  hospital,  but  in  addition  have  been 
overrun  with  applications  for  work  and  aid.  Individual  efforts  do  but  little.  If 
the  intention  is  to  rebuild  here  it  should  be  started  at  once  by  giving  employment 
to  a  hundred  or  two  of  laborers  here.  Ten  times  that  many  could  be  supported 
and  charity  would  only  be  required  for  the  women  and  children  and  the  sick.  I 
have  the  stable  roofed  again,  and  my  men  quartered  in  it  as  well  as  part  of  the 
horses.  To-morrow  we  will  put  up  the  tents  and  arrange  the  men  more  comforta- 
bly. Thanks  to  the  work  we  did  in  graveling  around  the  barracks  we  have  a 
model  site  for  a  camp,  and  I  have  material  enough  sent  here  for  the  construction 
of  a  new  stable,  to  frame  the  floor  of  the  tents,  and  hope  in  a  few  days  to  have  my 
men  comfortably  in  camp.  When  they  are  safely  fixed  up,  I  request  that  I  be 
given  authority  to  visit  San  Juan,  to  make  personal  report  and  confer  with  the 
chief  quartermaster  as  to  what  is  to  be  done  at  this  post. 

From  my  detachment  in  Guayama  I  hear  that  the  town  is  partially  destroyed 
as  well  as  the  seaport  of  Arroyo,  a  few  miles  distant. 

The  alcalde  is  a  very  active,  energetic  man,  and  is  untiring  in  his  efforts  to 
relieve  the  distress,  and  I  believe  he  can  be  counted  on  to  faithfully  assist  in  any 
effort  at  relief.  The  priest  refused  to  allow  the  poor  people  to  be  sheltered  in  the 
church,  and  it  took  considerable  diplomacy  to  make  him  change  his  mind.  He 
finally  did  so,  however,  when  I  agreed  to  allow  a  sentinel  to  be  placed  in  the  church 
to  see  that  no  profanation  took  place.  Incidentally  I  took  great  pleasure  in  telling 
him  I  would  report  just  how  he  was  conducting  himself,  etc.  At  last  he  was 
persuaded  (?)  to  consent,  but  has  done  nothing  else  whatever  to  help  the  people 
either  by  sympathy  or  material  aid. 

It  has  been  a  fine  day,  and  a  number  of  roofs  have  been  replaced,  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  town  people  will  probably  by  a  little  crowding  sleep  under 
some  sort  of  a  roof. 

I  have  lost  three  horses,  so  badly  injured  that  they  had  to  be  shot,  and  three 
others  are  still  unaccounted  for.  The  rest  have  been  gathered  in,  but  in  very  bad 
shape;  many  of  them  being  cut  and  bruised  so  as  to  be  for  the  present  unserv- 
iceable. 

Reports  up  to  this  time  give  thetotal  deaths  as  34  yesterday  and  to-day.  I  hope 
that  is  all. 

Very  respectfully, 

F.  W.  FOSTER, 
Captain,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding. 


MANNTI,  P.  R.,  August  11,  1900. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OP  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  E. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  8th  instant,  at  8  o'clock  a.  m. ,  a  severe 
storm,  in  the  nature  of  a  tornado,  struck  this  post  and  the  entire  district.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  storm  the  wind  was  from  the  north,  slowly  veering  to  the 
southeast  about  11  o'clock  a.  m. ,  when  the  wind  abated.  Heavy  rainfall  from  the 
commencement  of  the  storm  until  about  8  o'clock  p.  m.,  from  when  until  about 
LI  p.  m.,  it  rained  in  torrents.  A  great  deal  of  damage  was  done  in  the  town  of 
Manati,  principally  unroofing  buildings  and  destroying  the  poorer  quality  of 
houses.  No  lives  were  lost  and  only  one  injury  reported.  The  roof  of  the  quar- 
termaster's store  room  was  blown  off,  also  roof  of  stables  partially  destroyed;  no 
other  damage  to  Government  property  except  by  water. 

At  Morovis  the  town  was  almost  totally  destroyed  by  wind.  The  church  was 
blown  down  and  nearly  every  house  blown  down  or  unroofed.  Quarters  occupied 
by  the  detachment  unroofed  and  stables  destroyed.  No  deaths  so  far  reported 
from  that  district,  but  a  number  of  persons  reported  more  or  less  injured;  one 
horse,  Troop  K,  Fifth  Cavalry,  so  badly  injured  as  to  necessitate  its  being  shot. 
Rations  and  forage  totally  destroyed. 

19709—01 14 


210       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

At  Ciales  considerable  damage  done  by  wind,  principally  to  poorer  quality  of 
homes.  Quarters  occupied  by  detachment  had  roof  blown  off;  stables  totally 
destroyed,  also  forage  and  rations.  Twenty-one  deaths  reported,  but  only  three 
authenicated  so  far. 

At  Barceloneta  poorer  quality  of  houses  destroyed,  greatest  damage  being  done 
by  overflow  of  river,  which  was  about  three  feet  deep,  leaviijg  the  town  now 
flooded  with  drift.  Railroad  d  epot  totally  destoyed.  Eight  deaths  so  far  reported, 
seven  of  which  have  been  authenticated:  two  in  the  vicinity  of  Barceloneta  and 
five,  all  belonging  to  one  family,  near  Florida. 

The  coffee  crop  in  all  the  districts  is  almost  totally  destroyed,  not  only  the  crop 
for  this  year,  but  the  trees  are  torn  up  by  the  wind. 

The  sugar  cane  has  been  flooded  and  is  now  covered  with  mud  and  drift. 
Oranges,  bananas,  plantains,  and  nearly  every  kind  of  vegetable  are  almost  all 
totally  destroyed  by  water.  Mr.  Carleaf ,  the  sugar  planter,  claims  to  have  lost 
$150,000  by  the  storm,  others  from  $20,000  to  $50,000.  Sugar  factories  are  badly 
wrecked,  and  nearly  all  of  the  sugar  on  hand  destroyed  by  water. 

The  whole  district  is  in  a  state  of  absolute  destitution;  the  planters  have  no  crop 
in  prospect,  nor  have  they  any  ready  means,  so  can  not  give  any  support  to  the 
poor  or  laboring  classes.  I  recommend,  if  possible,  that  work  be  given  to  this 
class  on  the  roads,  which  are  almost  impassable,  as  the  only  means  of  preventing 
great  suffering. 

The  telegraph  line  between  this  post  and  Ciales  is  completely  wrecked.  The  rail- 
road telegraph  line  is  badly  damaged  from  Barceloneta  to  Vega  Baja:  about  one- 
half  the  poles  will  have  to  be  reset  and  wire  furnished  before  line  can  be  repaired. 
The  railroad  depot  and  warehouse  here  are  unroofed,  and  both  here  and  at  Barce- 
loneta abandoned  by  the  railroad  company.  Between  here  and  Vega  Baja  track 
is  in  fair  condition,  only  ballasting  required  in  a  few  places.  Between  here  and 
Barceloneta  railroad  bridge  and  three  culvert  bridges  washed  off  foundations; 
track  for  about  half  a  mile  washed  away;  remainder  of  track,  ballasting  washed 
out  in  a  great  many  places. 

Consolidated  report  of  damage  done  by  the  storm  in  the  different  municipali- 
ties will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  received. 

There  is  now  twenty  days'  forage  of  grain  and  hay  at  this  post,  and  thirty  days' 
rations. 

Very  respectfully,  H.  S.  BISHOP, 

Captain  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding. 


POST  OF  PONCE,  P.  R.,  August  12,  WOO. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO. Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  damages  and  conse- 
quences of  the  recent  storm  here  in  addition  to  report  submitted  on  the  9th  instant: 

In  the  post  as  much  work  as  possible  has  been  done.  Temporary  roofs  have 
been  constructed  over  most  of  the  five  sets  of  officers'  quarters  to  the  north  of 
Cuertel  to  protect  the  walls  and  afford  shelter  for  officers'  goods  and  officers'  fam- 
ilies living  in  these  which  are  still  habitable.  The  three  sets  of  quarters  to  the 
south  of  Cuartel  remain  practically  as  left  by  the  flood.  As  previously  reported, 
these  are  uninhabitable,  and  their  abandonment  and  removal  as  soon  as  practica- 
ble will  probably  be  advisable. 

The  repair  of  the  cavalry  stables  has  been  commenced  and  is  proceeding  as 
rapidly  as  possible.  Under  the  direction  of  the  quartermaster,  the  road  to  La 
Playa  has  been  cleared  sufficiently  for  the  passage  of  wagons.  Some  of  the  iron 
from  the  roof  of  the  wrecked  subsistence  storehouse  has  been  hauled  to  the  post 
and  used  for  temporary  roofs  over  officers'  quarters,  etc. 

Communication  with  La  Playa  has  been  had  since  the  10th  instant,  first,  by 
means  of  cable  and  boats,  and  later,  when  the  river  had  fallen  sufficiently,  by 
ford  across  river.  The  damage  to  the  depot  commissary  storehouse  at  La  Playa 
is  more  than  was  stated  in  first  report.  The  building  is  wrecked  beyond  repair: 
the  roof  fallen  and  mostly  gone.  The  stores  there  are  damaged  and  lost  to  a 
great  extent,  both  by  fresh  and  salt  water;  and  while  every  effort  is  now  being 
made  to  save  those  left,  further  deterioration  and  loss  will,  of  course,  follow  to 
nearly  all  that  are  not  issued  and  used  immediately.  A  considerable  amount  of 
stores  will  have  to  be  destroyed  at  once  to  prevent  danger  of  disease. 

A  considerable  amount  of  wood,  coal,  and  forage  at  La  Playa  has  been  lost,  but 
to  what  amount  is  still  unknown. 

The  refrigerating  plant  of  Swift  &  Co.  has  been  repaired  so  that  they  are  now 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        211 

ready  to  store  beef  again.     Sufficient  water  for  the  use  of  the  plant  can  be  hauled 
daily  in  barrels. 

Other  damages  at  La  Playa  not  reported  before  are  the  wrecking  of  two  sheds 
of  the  customs  department,  the  unroofing  of  the  third,  leaving  the  frame  standing, 
and  slight  damage  only  to  the  other  shed. 

In  and  about  the  city  the  loss  of  life  is  far  greater  and  the  damage  fully  as  great 
as  indicated  in  former  report.  Up  to  last  night  117  bodies  found  in  Ponce  and 
the  neighboring  country  have  been  buried  in  city  cemetery  here.  A  good  many 
missing  have  not  been  found,  and  are  supposed  to  be  buried  under  piles  of  drift 
or  carried  to  sea.  The  search  is  still  going  on. 

The  work  on  the  aqueduct  has  proceeded,  so  that  a  little  water  came  through 
the  mains  last  night.  Several  weeks  will  probably  be  required  for  its  completion. 

About  500  men  are  employed  in  cleaning  up  the  streets  and  good  progress  is 
being  made.  All  serviceable  wagons  of  the  Quartermaster's  Department  that  can 
be  spared  are  being  used  to  assist  in  this  work. 

Slight  friction  has  arisen  between  the  alcalde  and  the  council  and  a  few  of  the 
indigent  and  poorer  classes.  The  alcalde  and  council  are  accused  of  negligence 
in  failing  to  warn  people  of  the  approaching  hurricane.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
9th  several  hundred  indigent  natives,  probaby  incited  by  a  few  evil-minded  per- 
sons, unknown,  gathered  in  front  of  the  municipal  building  and  demanded  the 
abdication  of  the  alcalde,  accompanied  by  a  few  threats  against  him.  This  crowd 
was  easily  dispersed  by  the  presence  of  the  commanding  officer  and  a  small  part 
of  the  troops  here,  without  the  use  of  any  further  display  of  force. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  city  council,  which  followed  the  same  evening,  the  alcalde 
and  some  of  the  council  attempted  to  resign.  The  commanding  officer  took 
advantage  of  this  occasion  to  protest  against  the  introduction  of  politics  in  a 
question^  already  serious  enough  and  entirely  foreign  to  matters  political,  and  also 
against  any  change  in  the  city  government  or  the  resignation  of  any  official  at 
this  time.  The  alcalde  has,  however,  virtually  turned  the  city  government  over 
to  the  sub-alcalde,  and  it  has  been  deemed  necessary  for  the  commanding  officer 
to  assume  a  general  supervision  only  over  the  matters  connected  with  the  city. 
And  at  present  the  removal  of  any  official  or  any  change  in  the  city  government 
is  not  recommended  until  at  least  the  question  of  alleviation  of  the  suffering  and 
improvement  of  existing  conditions  here  is  to  some  extent  settled. 

It  is  respectfully  requested  that  this  action  and  recommendation  be  approved 
and  sustained. 

Every  effort  is  being  made  to  preserve  the  best  order  throughout  the  city,  as 
well  as  to  assist  the  hungry  and  homeless. 

The  city  has  been  covered  with  mounted  patrols  every  night  and  the  city  hall 
and  jail,  as  well  as  government  property,  protected  at  all  times  by  guards.  So 
far  there  has  hardly  been  the  slightest  evidence  of  disorder  other  than  described 
above,  and  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  feeling  at  present  among  the  poor  people 
is  strongly  in  favor  of  the  Americans. 

Reports  have  been  received  from  detachment  at  Coamo.  The  roof  of  the  build- 
ing occupied  as  barracks  is  gone.  One  quartermaster's  mule  killed,  another  seri- 
ously injured,  and  a  part  of  rations  damaged.  Other  damages  slight,  but  private 
property  throughout  town  damaged  to  a  considerable  extent.  Twelve  days' 
rations  have  been  sent  them  by  pack  trains. 

Two  thousand  rations  have  been  sent  to  commanding  officer  of  Aibonito  in 
response  to  his  request.  No  further  rations  could  be  spared  at  that  time  until  the 
extent  of  damage  here  was  determined  and  whether  further  supplies  for  this  gar- 
rison could  be  obtained  at  San  Juan.  Four  thousand  pounds  of  hard  bread, 
somewhat  damaged,  was  also  sent  for  issue  to  starving  natives. 
Very  respectfully, 

ALBERT  L.  MYER. 
Major ,  Eleventh  Infantry,  Commanding  Post. 


'  AGUADILLA,  P.  E.,  August  12, 1900. 
The  ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  In  reference  to  the  storm  which  passed  over  this  place  on  the  8th  instant,  I 
have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report: 

The  storm  struck  this  city  between  10  and  11  a.  m.,  coming  from  almost  due 
north  and  lasting  until  about  9  p.  m.  Between  1  and  2  p.  m.  the  wind  greatly 
abated,  and  this  lull  lasted  for  more  than  an  hour,  when  the  storm  returned  from 
the  southeast,  and,  as  I  say,  lasted  until  about  9  p.  m.  The  damage  here  was 


212       REPORT    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

slight.  Only  a  very  few  of  the  poorest  houses  were  blown  completely  down,  but 
the  roof  of  nearly  every  house  in  the  town  was  more  or  less  damaged;  some  being 
entirely  blown  off.  All  of  these  roofs  were  either  of  zinc  or,  as  in  the  poorer 
houses,  of  palm  leaves,  and  are  easily  replaced.  Most  of  them  have  already  been 
replaced,  and  in  a  week's  time  the  effects  of  the  storm,  as  far  as  the  houses  are  con- 
cerned, will  hardly  be  noticed.  It  is  impossible  to  say  at  present  what  is  the  actual 
money  value  of  the  property  destroyed,  but  it  is  so  slight  as  to  be  inconsiderable. 
The  only  cost  for  repairing  the  roofs  will  be  for  the  labor  for  replacing  the  zinc,  as 
most  of  the  zinc  blown  off  was  uninjured  and  was  picked  up.  As  for  the  palm  leaf 
roofs,  they  cost  nothing  to  put  them  up  in  the  first  place,  and  will  cost  nothing  to 
replace  them.  At  present  there  is  no  suffering  here  at  all— no  more  than  before 
the  storm — but  it  is  reported  to  me  that  all  the  coffee  and  sugar  and  other  crops 
have  been  destroyed  in  the  surrounding  country,  and  if  this  prove  true,  actual 
want  will  come  later  on.  I  have  only  heard  from  two  of  the  neighboring  towns, 
Moca  and  Rincon*  and  their  alcaldes  claim  that  great  damage  was  done  in  both 
places,  and  that  there  is  great  suffering  among  the  people.  I  have  not  visited  these 
places  as  yet,  but  am  inclined  to  think  that  these  reports  are  greatly  exaggerated. 
The  alcaldes  of  the  other  towns  have  been  called  upon  to  report,  but  have  not  yet 
heard  from  them.  Unless  the  destruction  in  the  surrounding  country  is  much 
worse  than  in  this  town,  there  will  be  no  necessity  for  but  little  if  any  disburse- 
ments at  the  present  time.  I  think  it  will  be  necessary  later  on,  when  the  food 
gets  scarce  and  the  crops  fail  to  materialize.  There  were  no  lives  lost  or  serious 
injury  that  I  have  heard  of.  The  zinc  roof  on  the  barracks  occupied  by  the  native 
detachment  when  they  were  here  was  partly  blown  off,  but  it  was  replaced  by  the 
men  themselves  in  a  couple  of  days,  and  is  now  as  good  or  better  than  before  the 
storm.  No  Government  property  was  destroyed  or  injured  to  speak  of.  Business 
and  everything  else  here  is  going  on  as  if  the  storm  had  never  happened.  The  only 
drawback  is  a  lack  of  communication.  There  are  no  trains  running  between  here 
and  Mayaguez.  I  have  heard  that  the  bridge  at  Anasco  is  down,  and  all  the  tele- 
graph wires  are  down.  As  soon  as  the  other  towns  in  this  district  are  heard  from, 
their  reports  will  be  forwarded.  Take  it  "all  in  all,"  and  from  what  we  can  hear 
from  other  places,  this  immediate  district  came  off  very  light  indeed. 
Very  respectfully, 

SEABORN  G.  CHILES, 
First  Lieutenant,  Eleventh  Infantry.  Commanding  Post. 


POST  OF  MAYAGUEZ,  P.  R.,  August  12,  1900. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  results  of  the  hurri- 
cane which  visited  the  island  on  the  8th  instant. 

The  storm  lasted  in  Mayaguez  from  about  9.30  a.  in.  until  about  10  o'clock  p.  m., 
the  wind  approaching  at  times  a  hundred  or  more  miles  per  hour,  as  well  as  coul 
be  judged  without  the  assistance  of  anemometers. 

One  of  the  new  stables  lately  completed,  and  another  almost  ready  for  occu- 
pancy, were  wrecked,  the  first  not  so  badly^  but  that  it  can  be  repaired;  but  the 
second  will  have  to  be  entirely  rebuilt,  nothing  but  the  stalls  and  a  part  of  the 
galvanized  roofing  remaining  for  future  use.  The  old  car  stable,  which  has  been 
rented  for  public  use  since  the  arrival  of  the  troops  at  this  place,  was  so  badly 
damaged  that  it  is  unsafe  for  sheltering  horses.  Unless  the  owners  of  the  prop- 
erty will  consent  to  make  certain  changes  which  have  been  suggested,  the  stable 
will  have  to  be  given  up  and  a  new  one  provided. 

The  barrack  building,  as  might  have  been  expected,  suffered  little  damage, 
being  too  strong  a  structure  to  be  injured  very  much  by  anything  less  than  a  vio- 
lent shock  of  earthquake.  Some  portions  of  the  galvanized  roofing  of  the  outer 
buildings  were  blown  off  and  carried  away,  but  the  walls  have  suffered  so  little 
damage  that  they  can  be  repaired  at  a  alight  expenditure  of  money  and  labor. 

The  hospital,  although  none  of  the  exterior  walls  were  blown  down,  was  so  badly 
wrecked  that  it  is  unsafe  to  occupy.  One  of  the  partition  walls  fell  down,  but 
fortunately  injured  none  of  the  occupants  of  the  room.  All  the  piazzas,  with  their 
roofs,  in  the  court  of  the  hospital  were  converted  into  a  heap  of  broken  lumber  and 
rubbish.  An  examination  of  the  hospital  walls  shows  that  they  are  made  of  the 
thickness  of  one  brick  only,  laid  on  top  of  one  another,  without  binding  from  top 
to  bottom,  which  fully  accounts  for  the  weakness.  In  my  opinion,  a  new  hospital 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RlCO.        213 

will  have  to  be  built,  as  the  present  one,  or  the  remains  of  it,  are  hardly  worth 
repairing.  The  patients,  of  which  there  were  30,  and  the  members  of  the  Hospital 
Corps  were  made  very  comfortable  in  a  new  furnished  room  in  the  barracks. 

Yesterday  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  hear  of  a  large  building  in  the  city,  in  an 
excellent  location,  which  had  just  been  newly  floored,  painted,  calcimined,  etc., 
and  after  it  had  been  examined  by  the  post  surgeon  and  approved  by  him  I 
ordered  it  to  be  hired  at  a  rental  of  $72  per  month.  The  sick  will  all  be  comfort- 
ably provided  for  in  it  by  to-morrow. 

Beyond  the  damage  done  by  water  entering  through  the  holes  in  the  roof,  which 
is  slight,  the  public  property  in  buildings  in  the  city  was  uninjured. 

At  the  subpost  of  San  German  very  little  damage  was  done  to  public  buildings 
or  property. 

In  the  city  of  Mayaguez  a  great  many  houses  are  deprived  of  their  coverings 
when  these  consisted  of  galvanized  iron. 

Not  a  solidly  built  structure  of  any  kind  was  blown  down,  but  many  houses 
occupied  by  poor  people,  especially  along  the  seashore,  were  wrecked,  some  of 
them  having  been  carried  out  to  sea.  Many  brick  walls  inclosing  private  grounds 
were  thrown  down,  which  is  not  surprising,  as  the  walls  were  old  and  made  of 
only  the  thickness  of  one  brick  and  not  bonded. 

Of  the  shipping  in  the  harbor  the  steamer  Vasco  was  run  on  shore  to  save  her, 
and  will  undoubtedly  be  saved;  the  schooner  Conception,  having  on  board  about  150 
emigrants  bound  for  Santo  Domingo,  was  totally  wrecked,  every  one  on  board,  with 
the  exception  of  one  woman  and  her  child,  having  been  rescued.  One  other 
schooner  was  driven  on  shore,  but  will  probably  be  saved.  Not  a  life,  except 
those  of  the  woman  and  child  named,  has  been  lost  in  Mayaguez  by  the  storm. 
Quite  a  number  of  people  were  injured  by  flying  roofing  and  other  debris,  but 
none,  so  far  as  known,  mortally. 

Of  course  nearly  all  the  electric  and  telephone  wires  and  poles  were  thrown 
down  and  badly  displaced.  The  electric  plant  will  be  in  operation  again  very 
soon,  and  the  telephone  service  will  be  resumed  very  soon.  Although  the  streets 
have  been  lighted  by  only  a  few  oil  lamps  since  the  night  of  the  7th  instant,  there 
have  been  no  disturbances  of  the  public  peace  worthy  of  mention.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  9th  instant  the  Mayaguez  River  overflowed  its  bank  in  the  lower  part 
of  its  course  and  flooded  quite  a  large  part  of  the  business  district,  but  soon 
receded  again  without  doing  a  very  great  amount  of  injury  to  property. 

Since  the  8th  instant  all  communication  by  telegraph  or  railway  with  the  out- 
side world  has  been  completely  cut  off.  The  steel  railway  bridge  crossing  the 
Anasco  River  was  torn  from  its  piers  and  carried  downstream  several  hundred 
yards.  To  replace  it  will  probably  be  the  work  of  several  weeks.  Meantime  all 
traffic  coming  or  going  by  rail  will  have  to  be  ferried  over  the  river.  I  have 
attempted  to  establish  telegraphic  communication  north  and  south,  but  the  wires, 
poles,  etc.,  were  so  completely  destroyed,  for  miles  in  places,  that  the  necessary 
material  can  not  be  found  to  replace  that  destroyed.  The  line  may  be  reestab- 
lished to  San  German  and  east  of  that  place,  if  the  necessary  wire  and  poles  can 
be  obtained;  but  the  line  to  Las  Marias,  Maricao,  Anasco,  and  other  places  in  this 
district  all  tell  about  the  same  story.  Two-thirds  of  the  coffee  crop  has  been 
destro3Tecl:  the  bananas,  small  fruits,  and  vegetables  are  almost  a  total  loss.  As  the 
coffee  crop  is  the  main  reliance  for  paying  past  debts  and  making  future  improve- 
ments, the  business  interests  will  be  terribly  affected.  The  laboring  people, 
depending  as  they  do  so  largely  upon  the  bananas  for  food,  will  be  soon  in  a  con- 
dition of  misery  almost  impossible  to  realize.  Enormous  areas  of  growing  sugar 
cane  have  been  flooded  and  almost  buried  by  the  overflowing  streams  or  mountain 
torrents.  As  the  owners  of  the  sugar  estates  are  generally  men  of  wealth,  they 
will  not  suffer  so  much,  but  it  will  take  them  some  time  to  recover  from  the  results 
of  the  destruction  of  their  fields  and  large  sugar  mills. 

At  Las  Marias  the  barracks  occupied  by  the  troops  were  almost  entirely  unroofed. 
The  stable  was  completely  destroyed.  The  detachment  will  probably  be  able  to 
recover  or  replace  enough  of  the  roofing  to  give  good  shelter. 

At  Maricao  little  damage  was  done  by  the  wind,  but  the  river  overflowed  the 
banks  and  ran  through  the  buildings  occupied  by  the  troops,  and  also  their  stable, 
and  did  a  great  deal  of  damage  in  the  town  and  its  vidinity. 

In  the  hamlet  of  La  Vega  there  was  quite  a  loss  of  life,  the  total  number  of 
deaths  amounting  to  thirty  or  forty.  Some  of  the  people  were  among  the  best 
known  in  this  part  of  the  country.  Many  of  them  while  in  their  houses  were 
washed  down  the  hillside  and  carried  away  by  the  torrent,  their  bodies  having 
been  found  miles  away  from  their  late  homes.  From  the  very  best  official  infor- 
mation I  have  been  able  to  obtain  nearly  100  persons  have  lost  their  lives  in  or 


214       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

about  La  Vega,  Las  Marias,  Maricao,  and  Aldea  Saenz.     Corrected  returns  will 
more  likely  increase  than  diminish  the  number  of  deaths  already  reported. 

I  inclose  herewith  a  copy  of  a  report  received  to-day  from  Captain  Schuyler,  Fifth 
Cavalry,  commanding  San  German,  which  gives  much  reliable  information  in 
regard  to  matters  of  general  interest  in  and  about  San  German. 

The  steamer  Longfellow  arrived  here  at  2  o'clock  p.  m.  to-day.  Your  letter  of 
August  11, 1899,  to  the  commanding  officers  of  Mayaguez  and  San  German,  respec- 
tively, authorizing  each  to  disburse  $1,000  to  the  needy  poor,  were  promptly  deliv- 
ered by  the  captain  of  the  boat.  The  relief  which  will  be  given  by  this  money  will 
>be  greatly  felt  and  highly  appreciated,  as  I  have  already  said.  It  is  almost  impos- 
sible to  realize  the  misery  and  suffering  to  which  the  poor  of  the  island  will  be 
subjected  by  the  results  of  the  late  disastrous  hurricane.  It  may  be  added  that 
the  financial  condition  of  Mayaguez  and  the  other  towns  in  this  district  is  such 
that  it  will  be  utterly  impossible,  with  the  best  intentions  in  the  world,  for  the 
municipalities  to  afford  one- tenth  part  of  the  relief  that  will  be  demanded  to  pre- 
vent an  almost  incalculable  amount  of  suffering  and  death  from  starvation.  In 
my  opinion,  only  an  appeal  to  the  sympathies  of  the  charitably  disposed  people  of 
the  United  States  for  aid  in  the  way  of  food  will  save  the  island  from  the  horrors 
of  famine  and  possibly  pestilence  resulting  from  it. 

To  Dr.  Groff ,  the  secretary  of  the  superior  board  of  health  of  Porto  Rico,  whom 
I  met  on  the  dock  on  the  arrival  of  the  Longfellow  to-day,  I  gave  such  information 
in  regard  to  the  number  of  people  who  would  have  to  be  fed,  etc.,  as  it  was  possi- 
ble to  supply  offhand,  which  he  will  be  able  to  put  into  your  hands  much  earlier 
than  I  could. 

This  letter  will  be  sent  by  courier  to  San  Juan,  in  the  hope  that  it  may  reach  the 
destination  within  four  or  five  days:  but  whether  it  will  or  not  remains  to  be  seen. 
So  far  I  have  been  able  to  hear  of  no  route  which  can  be  traveled  without  the  pos- 
sibility of  the  courier  having  to  cut  his  way  through  the  fallen  timber,  as  did  a 
detachment  sent  to  Las  Marias  two  days  ago,  the  lately  repaired  wagon  road  being 
utterly  impassable  and  the  detachment  being  obliged  to  go  by  mountain  trail. 
Very  respectfully, 

C.  C.  C.  CARR, 
Lieutenant- Colonel  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding  Mayaguez. 

[Inclosure.J 

Yesterday  I  went  to  Sabana  Grande,  and  to-day  to  Lajas  and  as  far  as  Sur 
Vivonas  plantation,  in  the  savanna  beyond.  At  Sabana  Grande  I  had  a  long  talk 
with  a  group  of  headmen  and  planters.  They  estimate  that  the  loss  of  coffee  will 
be  from  50  to  65  per  cent,  owing  chiefly  to  the  throwing  down  of  the  large  trees. 
From  what  I  saw  to-day  in  the  hills  south  of  here  I  can  well  believe  it.  The  chief 
loss  to  the  sugar  planters  will  be  in  the  destruction  of  their  buildings.  There  will 
be  great  destitution  among  the  peons  everywhere,  as  the  bananas  and  small  fruits 
and  vegetables  are  almost  totally  destroyed.  The  towns  of  Sabana  Grande  and 
Lajas  are  not  much  injured,  though  in  all  buildings  there  has  been  damage  by 
leakage  and  exposure.  The  worst  thing  for  us  seems  to  be  isolation,  owing  to 
almost  total  destruction  of  lines  of  communication.  I  am  trying  to  set  up  the 
telegraph  lines  both  ways,  but  we  lack  proper  implements,  wire,  and  insulators. 
Wherever  the  lines  crossed  a  river  there  is  a  long  break  and  the  wire  totally  carried 
away.  I  have  sent  a  party  to  Yauco  to  try  to  get  wire,  etc. ,  and  work  back  from 
there. 

It  is  reported  that  the  railway  from  Yauco  to  Ponce  is  completely  destroyed  and 
the  bridges  gone. 

I  shall  probably  send  a  couple  of  men  through  to  Ponce  to-morrow  to  report 
upon  it  and  establish  communication  with  San  Juan.  We  get  nothing  definite 
from  that  direction,  only  a  general  rumor  of  calamity.  When  the  railway  was 
built  the  Government  ordered  that  the  wagon  roads  competing  with  it  be  neglected, 
so  now  there  is  no  road  from  Yauco  to  Ponce  upon  which  freight  can  be  carried. 
The  wagon  roads  about  here  have  been  badly  washed,  but  in  many  places  the 
remains  show  a  good  foundation  and  show  that  the  work  done  this  year  has  been 
better  than  I  supposed.  I  have  an  engagement  to  go  on  Monday  with  the  munici- 
pal authorities  in  the  direction  of  Maricao  to  see  the  condition  of  the  coffee  plan- 
tations. It  is  said  the  road  is  fearful,  but  I  fancy  we  can  pick  our  way  over  it. 
Meanwhile  we  repaired  our  damages  and  are  calmly  going  on  with  our  target 
practice  and  other  work.  We  have  had  no  rain  since  Wednesday  morning,  and 
the  barometer  indicates  dry  weather. 

Very  sincerely,  yours,  W.  S.  SCHUYLER. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        215 

ADJUNTAS,  P.  R.,  August  13,  1899. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  Since  my  report  to  you  on  the  10th  instant  I  have  received  additional  reports 
from  Utuado  and  surrounding  country.  The  loss  of  life  has  been  terrible  and  the 
destruction  of  property  great,  both  by  wind  and  water.  All  the  rivers  have  over- 
flowed their  banks  to  an  extent  heretofore  unknown.  The  town  of  Jayuya,  1,500 
inhabitants,  west  of  Utuado,  was  destroyed  by  the  river.  The  loss  of  life  in  the 
town  and  neighborhood  is  set  down  at  from  250  to  500  persons  ( latter  doubtless 
exaggerated).  The  entire  town,  excepting  11  houses,  was  swept  away. 

At  Utuado  the  destruction  of  life  in  the  town  was  about  15,  but  the  number  lost 
in  the  surrounding  country  goes  into  the  hundreds— in  one  house  near  the  town 
11  persons  were  killed.  The  iron  bridge  at  entrance  of  town  is  swept  away,  the 
cemetery  partly  destroyed  by  water,  and  the  jail  blown  down  and  prisoners  lib- 
erated. I  can  not  communicate  with  Utuado  except  by  messenger  afoot.  The  roads 
and  trails  are  utterly  impassable  for  horses.  I  inclose  report  from  the  sergeant 
commanding  the  detachment  at  Utuado. 

I  think  any  assistance  for  Utuado  will  be  better  sent  from  Arecibo,  although 
do  not  know  the  state  of  the  road  beyond  Utuado. 

I  think  by  the  16th  instant  the  road  from  here  to  Ponce  will  be  open  for  pack 
mules.  I  have  revised  the  opinion  as  to  the  repair  of  the  wagon  road.  I  do  not 
think  the  work  of  repair  will  be  so  great  as  I  at  first  anticipated.  The  greater  part 
is  good  and  repairs  are  needed  only  in  places.  With  necessary  authority  I  think 
I  could  put  it  in  passable  order  in  a  few  weeks. 

In  my  last  report  I  suggested  sending  part  of  the  troops  to  Ponce  on  account  of 
scarcity  of  forage  for  the  horses.  I  presume,  however,  I  can  get  on  as  well  here 
as  in  Ponce.  With  some  assistance  from  the  quartermaster's  department  in  the 
way  of  aparejos,  etc.,  we  can  manage  to  pack  sufficient  rations  and  grain  for 
men  and  horses.  I  think  the  troop  is  and  will  be  necessary  here. 

If  the  department  commander  will  let  me  go  to  work  on  the  wagon  road,  I  would 
like  to  get  at  it  as  soon  as  possible. 

Very  respectfully,  C.  H.  WATTS, 

Captain,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding. 


ARECIBO.  P.  R. ,  August  14, 1899. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  as  follows  on  the  condition  of  the  districts  of 
Arecibo,  Hatillo,  Camuy,  Quebradillas,  and  Isabela,  said  report  being  made  from 
a  personal  examination  concluded  by  me  yesterday: 

GENERAL  CONDITIONS. 

The  recent  war,  followed  by  a  change  in  government  and  a  reduction  in  prices 
abroad  for  island  products,  a  loss  of  certain  markets  with  no  compensating  gain, 
had  naturally  resulted  in  a  lack  of  confidence  in  the  pursuit  of  agricultural  labors. 
The  proprietors  in  the  past  year,  therefore,  planted  much  less  than  usual  and  sold 
less  than  usual.  The  confidence  of  this  class  was  also  impaired  by  the  semipoliti- 
cal  attacks  upon  the  Spanish  proprietors  in  September  and  October  last,  when 
many  houses  were  burned  and  fields  robbed  of  their  crops  and  cattle  stolen. 

Taxes,  often  from  lack  of  means,  have  not  been  regularly  paid,  so  that  at  pres- 
ent the  treasuries  of  the  various  districts  are  without  any  means. 

The  peon  class  has  received  much  less  than  its  usual  amount  of  labor,  and  has 
for  some  time  been  living  on  short  rations,  made  up,  generally,  of  the  fruits  that 
grow  abundantly  in  the  island,  such  as  the  mango,  the  cocoanut,  the  plantain,  the 
aguacote,  together  with  rice,  corn,  and  beans. 

The  impoverished  condition  of  the  natives  led  to  the  employment  by  the  insular 
government  of  multitudes  on  road  work  in  the  early  part  of  the  year.  This  meas- 
ure afforded  temporary  relief  and  tided  over  the  time  until  the  coming  of  the  rains 
inaugurated  agricultural  work. 

Either  from  natural  improvidence  or  the  miserable  wages  paid  in  the  island, 
increased,  as  such  a  condition  of  shiftlessness  is  by  an  eternally  mild  climate,  the 


216   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

laborer  here  never  has  any  reserve  capital  other  than  his  small  stock  of  growing 
food. 

The  margin  of  safety  against  starvation  is  therefore  a  narrow  one.  Any  check 
in  the  work  or  food  supply  precipitates  suffering  and  hunger.  For  generations 
this  people  has  been  underfed,  and,  though  a  distinguished  commission  has  reported 
in  the  past  year,  after  a  rapid  tour  of  the  island,  that  it  was  impossible  to  starve 
here,  there  can  be  no  question  but  that  anaemia,  so  apparent  in  the  wan  faces  of 
the  peons,  is  due  to  lack  of  nourishing  food  in  the  present  and  in  the  past.  In 
short,  this  people  frequently  suffer  from  slow  starvation. 

The  entire  island  has  just  received  a  severe  shock  to  all  of  its  industries  in  the 
form  of  the  Dominican  hurricane  that  passed  over  the  island  from  east  to  west  on 
the  8th  of  August,  1899. 

The  proprietors  who  were  struggling  along  until  better  prices  might  be  secured 
for  their  stored  products  lost,  through  the  inroads  of  water  and  the  falling  of 
houses,  not  only  a  considerable  portion  of  their  goods  in  store,  but  many  valuable 
houses  and  the  machinery  in  them.  This  is  especially  true  of  the  sugar  planters, 
who  occupied  the  lowlands  subject  to  overflow. 

The  coffee  crop,  in  berry,  was  shaken  down  and  lost;  the  coffee  trees  were  so 
much  injured  as  to  materially  lessen  the  crop  due  in  1900.  Fruit  trees,  upon 
which  the  poor  depended  for  sustenance,  have  been  broken  and  destroyed. 

Corn  and  beans,  also  important  food  components  for  the  poor,  have  been  destroyed. 
Batatas  (sweet  potatoes)  have,  when  planted  in  low  ground  subject  to  overflow, 
rotted  in  the  earth.  The  houses  of  the  better  class,  though  generally  withstand- 
ing the  storm,  have  been  shaken  and  injured.  A  large  percentage  of  the  huts  of 
the  poor  have  been  leveled  to  the  ground,  and  in  the  low  river  bottoms  have  been 
swept  away  with  all  the  clothing,  cooking  utensils,  and  bedding  of  the  unfortu- 
nate occupants. 

Many  cattle,  horses,  and  pigs,  with  the  smaller  animals,  have,  in  the  low  coun- 
try, been  swept  away.  Many  houses  disappeared  with  their  occupants,  over- 
whelmed by  the  rushing  waters. 

SPECIAL  CONDITION,  ARECIBO   DISTRICT. 

Great  and  unprecedented  flood  from  the  Rio  Grande  submerged  all  the  lowlands 
south  of  town  to  the  mountains  some  5  miles  away,  and,  extending  east  to  Barce- 
loneta,  some  13  miles,  covering  some  65  square  miles,  ruined  much  of  the  growing 
cane,  seriously  injured  many  of  the  great  haciendas,  and  destroyed  and  swept  away 
small  houses  and  entire  families. 

The  alcalde  reports  that  from  1,000  to  i.200  persons  who  occupied  the  low 
ground  along  and  near  the  Rio  Grande,  from  its  mouth  up  to  and  in  the  gorge 
leading  to  Utnado,  have  disappeared. 

The  rise  in  the  river  was  most  sudden,  surrounding  houses  in  a  moment  and  cut- 
ting off  all  means  of  escape  except  by  boats,  of  which  only  a  few  were  available. 

This  was  on  the  afternoon  of  August  8.  That  evening  and  night  a  torrent  of  rain 
fell,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  9th  many  houses  in  the  bottom  lands  had  disap- 
peared. The  estimate  of  1,000  persons  missing  1  can  not  credit. 

The  number  of  bodies  recovered  and  buried  as  the  flood  subsided  is  to  this 
moment  43,  but  as  the  current  was  sweeping  seaward  very  strong,  it  is  apparent 
that  the  number  of  persons  (bodies)  recovered  can  not  approach  the  number  of 
persons  drowned.  About  200  families,  destitute  of  homes,  clothing,  and  food,  are 
now  in  the  town  being  cared  for.  The  cane  lands  in  the  flooded  districts  have  been 
much  injured  by  the  destruction  of  the  growing  cane  and  the  deposit  of  inferior 
material  on  the  rich  black  loam. 

Fifty  per  cent  of  the  small  houses  or  huts  through  the  district  are  blown  down, 
and  in  many  cases  the  clothing  and  other  small  belongings  of  the  occupants  blown 
away.  Fruit  trees,  such  as  cocoanut,  aguacarte,  rnango,  banana,  pineapple,  are 
broken  and  destroyed;  damage,  50  per  cent.  Many  cattle,  horses,  and  pigs  drowned 
and  swept  away  seaward. 

In  the  city  itself  many  of  the  poorer  houses  are  down  and  uninhabitable.  One 
bridge  across  Rio  Santiago  is  down  and  the  other  on  the  road  to  station  much 
weakened  and  in  need  of  repair.  Large  commercial  houses  in  lower  part  of  town 
are  flooded,  with  much  loss  of  stores  of  codfish,  salt,  coffee,  tobacco,  etc. 

The  life-saving  station  is  blown  down  and  destroyed.  Minor  damages  to  custom- 
house property  easily  repaired. 

Custom-house  boat  reported  as  lost  since  recovered.  The  loss  of  life  in  the  dis- 
trict is  believed  to  be  confined  to  the  low  ground  south  of  town.  It  is  possible  500 
persons,  though  actually  43  bodies  have  been  recovered. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOAED  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   217 

Estimated  loss,  in  gold. 


ouses  and  crops 3900, 000 

Number  of  huts  in  town 500 

Number  of  huts  down  in  country _ _ 1, 200 

Population  of  district ... 32, 000 

Persons  to  whom  it  is  necessary  to  furnish  rations  daily 4, 000 

Rations  recommended. 

Ounces. 

Bacalao  (codfish) _ 8 

Arroz  (rice) , 6£ 

Chicharos  (peas)  .   . . . .  4| 

Tocino  (pork) : . .   . 2 

Asucar  (sugar)  ..     .  .. 4 

Sal  (salt). $ 

The  total  cost  of  such  a  ration  in  Arecibo  is  a  little  less  than  10  centavos,  or  6 
cents  American.  Owing  to  the  difficulty  in  supplying  food  immediately  it  was 
deemed  best  to  furnish  1,500  partial  rations  from  the  military  supplies,  consisting 
of  hard  bread  (which  was,  through  moisture,  rapidly  becoming  unfit  for  use), 
bacon,  flour,  beans,  and  rice. 

The  statement  of  military  affairs  here  is  as  follows: 

Men  present  for  duty 65 

Men  in  confinement _ 11 

Men  sick  _.     . ,  8 

Horses  present.. .' 78 

Horses  absent  ... .  __ 4 

Quartermaster  4-line  wagons _ 10 

Teams  for  same 11 

Pack  mules ._ 7 

Drivers _ 11 

Packers _ .  2 

Rations  now  on  hand: 

Garrison,  except  fresh  vegetables \ 4,500 

No  hard  bread,  but  200  rations  of  canned  beef 2, 000 

Fresh  vegetables,  supply  to  end  of  month. 

Damage  to  military  stores,  buildings,  etc. 

Two  cavalry  stables  blown  down,  wrecked. 

One  quartermaster  stable  partially  blown  down. 

One  cavalry  horse  drowned  in  flood. 

One  cavalry  horse  badly  injured;  since  died. 

Seventy-five  halters  and  halter  straps  lost  by  horses  of  Troop  A,  Fifth  Cavalry, 
after  destruction  of  stables. 

Forage  house  in  lower  part  of  town  flooded,  resulting  in  loss  of  50,000  pounds 
oats,  50,000  pounds  hay. 

Seven  framed  hospital  tents  used  by  quartermaster  employees  blown  down,  torn, 
and  rendered  worthless. 

Two  hospital  tents  used  by  post  hospital  blown  down,  torn,  worthless. 

On  hand,  one  month's  forage. 

A  considerable  amount  of  clothing,  belonging  to  enlisted  men,  in  hands  of  wash- 
woman, was  lost  by  flooding  of  lower  part  of  town. 

An  order  was  issued  to  the  quartermaster  to  at  once  proceed  to  reerect  one  quar- 
termaster stable  and  one  cavalry  stable  from  the  material  on  hand,  employing 
native  labor,  and  limiting  the  expenses  of  this  work  to  $500.  This  measure  was 
deemed  actually  necessary  for  the  proper  care  and  safeguarding  of  the  Government 
animals. 

HATILLO. 

General  conditions  due  to  storm  similar  to  those  in  Arecibo,  omitting  loss  from 
flood. 

Cattle  and  horses  dead.  200;  many  hogs;  plantain  trees  broken,  ruined;  new  trees 
available  in  one  year.  Batata  crop  damaged,  50  per  cent;  tobacco  in  store  (though 
wet),  10  per  cent;  cane  (not  much  in  district),  50  per  cent;  corn  (about  50  per  cent 
in  store  saved),  50  per  cent;  beans,  50  per  cent;  coffee  crop  lost  for  this  year  and 
much  injured,  say  75  per  cent  for  1900.  One  man  wounded— leg  broken  by  falling 


218   EEPOET  OF  THE  BOAED  OF  CHAEITIES  OF  POETO  EICO. 

tree.    Number  of  houses  of  poor  destroyed,  450.    Population,  12,000.    Number  of 
people  requiring  food  and  some  clothing,  1,000. 

CAMUY. 

General  conditions,  excepting  flood,  similar  to  Arecibo  and  Hatillo.  Small  parts, 
including  grain,  coffee,  and  batata  crops,  seriously  injured. 

Many  small  houses  in  district  town,  4.30;  alcalda  unroofed,  not  habitable;  one 
man  injured,  arm  cut,  flying  tin;  one  man  injured,  struck  by  flying  timber.  Popu- 
lation, 14,000.  Number  of  persons  to  whom  rations  and  some  clothing  must  issue, 
2,500. 

QUEBRADILLAS. 

This  district,  though  not  a  large  one  nor  thickly  populated,  is  on  high,  gener- 
ally rocky  ground,  and  is  a  very  poor  population.  The  loss  to  food  crops  is  espe- 
cially felt  here.  Number  of  small  houses  and  huts  down,  500.  Population,  2,500. 
Number  of  persons  in  need  of  rations  and  some  clothing,  2,500.  One  man  injured 
by  falling  tree. 

ISABELA. 

On  high,  rocky  ground;  poor  population.  Houses  and  huts  destroyed,  say,  500. 
Population,  14,000;  in  town,  1,200.  Rations  needed  for  5,000.  Nocrops:  no  work. 
In  all  these  districts  the  treasuries  are  without  money  and  the  local  authorities 
can  afford  but  little  relief. 

MEASURES  TAKEN. 

I  have  purchased  in  open  market  here  food  supplies  at  low  contract  prices,  and 
issued  on  the  emergency  relief  ration,  noted  in  this  communication,  as  follows: 

Partial  U.  S.  rations. 

To  Hatillo.... 2,000 

To  Camuy _  _ .     1, 000 

To  Quebradillas 3,000 

Tolsabela 6,000 

To  Arecibo..  1,500 


Total..... 13,500 

I  have,  so  far  as  possible,  seen  personally  to  the  issue  of  these  supplies,  and  seen 
that  each  town  has  formed  a  committee  of  responsible  and  honorable  persons  who 
will  see  that  rations  are  properly  issued  to  deserving  individuals.  At  the  present 
writing  there  are  on  hand  in  this  town  for  consumption  the  following: 


Pounds. 

Codfish..  13,000 

Peas 3,000 

Rice 530,000 

Pork..  16,000 


Pounds. 

Sugar..  1,000,000 

Salt... 1,000 

Flour.... 10,000 

Beans 3,200 


These  supplies  are  not  sufficient  for  any  prolonged  siege  of  famine,  and  must  be 
reenforced  promptly  by  sea.  No  more  rations  of  the  Government  will  be  issued. 
The  necessity  for  more  salt  is  especially  noted.  Another  article  of  food,  cheap 
and  desired  here,  is  codfish. 

COMMUNICATIONS. 

Roads. — The  railroad  bridge  at  Manati  is  reported  as  gone.  A  smaller  bridge, 
the  western  one  at  river  Grande  here,  is  out.  From  this  point  west  to  Camuy,  the 
terminus,  the  track  is  not  seriously  damaged,  though  one  culvert  is  out  some  5 
miles  west  of  here,  in  front  of  Mr.  Abrell's  house. 

The  river  Arecibo,  as  well  as  the  Manati,  cuts  all  roads  leading  to  the  capital. 
These  rivers  are  still  swollen  and  difficult  of  passage.  A  flat  ferryboat  can  be 
arranged  here,  if  necessary,  and  I  presume  one  at  river  Manati,  on  main  road 
crossing. 

The  main  road  to  Aguadilla  is  quite  uneven  and  soft  from  sand,  Arecibo  to 
Hatillo.  Beyond  that  point  the  road  is  good  and  practicable. 

The  bridges  across  Camuy  and  Guajataca  rivers  are  in  excellent  condition. 

One  important  culvert  being  much  damaged  at  the  Quebrada  Guineo,  some  3 
miles  west  of  Cainuy,  I  made  a  contract  to  have  it  put  in  excellent  condition  for 
60  pesos  ($36). 


EEPOET  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   219 

The  main  road  from  here  to  Utuado  is  badly  washed  and  at  present  impracti- 
cable for  all  purposes.  It  crosses  the  river,  which  is  still  high,  some  seven  times 
in  reaching  Utuado. 

The  new  road  Arecibo  to  Utuado,  which  passes  along  the  slope  of  rocky  hills  on 
the  west  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  though  not  practicable  for  wheels,  can  be  used 
by  pack  trains,  but  with  difficulty. 

The  road  from  Lares  to  Arecibo  is  never  practicable  for  wagons  on  account  of 
the  deep  rocky  gorge  of  the  Camuy  River  and  rocky  ground  from  there  into 
Lares,  some  12  miles.  The  Camuy  River  at  this  gorge  is  up,  but  can,  I  think,  be 
now  safely  forded.  The  complete  new  roads  can  be  used  for  pack  animals,  but  is 
heavy  in  some  places  from  clay. 

Telegraph  lines. — The  telegraph  lines  everywhere  are  broken  down.  I  have  par- 
ties out  and  expect  the  line  from  here  to  Isabela  will  be  in  working  condition  by 
the  evening  of  August  15.  Upon  the  return  of  my  parties  the  wire  will  be  repaired 
to  Barceloneta.  I  shall  expect  the  commanding  officer  of  Manati  to  put  the  wire 
in  shape  east  of  Barceloneta,  and  the  commanding  officer  of  Isabela  to  repair  the 
line  from  Isabela  to  Aguadilla. 

Some  300  yards  east  of  the  Guajataca  River,  which  is  about  2-J-  miles  west  of 
Quebradillas,  the  launch  Willie,  of  New  York,  is  wrecked.  She  is  a  new,  strong 
boat,  but  is  "stove  in  "  on  port  side  forward  and  on  port  side  aft.  The  rocks  have 
pierced  her  bow  as  well  and  passed  through  her  bottom,  The  deck  was  separated 
from  the  timbers  on  the  port  side.  The  boat  is  fast  upon  the  rocks.  I  consider 
her  a  total  wreck,  and  believe,  if  repaired,  she  could  not  be  floated.  One  anchor 
and  chain  I  .shall  endeavor  to  save  and  bring  to  Arecibo. 

The  sanitary  condition  of  Isabela,  Quebradillas,  Camuy,  and  Hatillo  is  entirely 
satisfactory.  At  Arecibo,  from  the  amount  of  flooded  district,  an  evil  smell  may 
be  noted  when  south  of  town.  This  comes  from  decaying  vegetable  matter. 
The  prevailing  breeze  blows  this  bad  air  away  from  the  town,  and  I  apprehend 
no  evil  results.  But,  as  a  wise  precaution,  the  alcalde  is  having  all  that  part  of 
the  town  that  was  flooded  cleared  out  and  will  then  wash  it  with  his  fire  engine. 
The  conditions  here  are  good,  and  unless  people  are  weakened  from  famine  I  see 
no  reason  to  look  for  unusual  sickness. 

Your  order  of  August  11,  1899,  placing  in  this  jurisdiction  Barceloneta  and 
removing  it  from  Isabela,  is  just  received.  The  plain  country  lying  between  the 
rivers  Grande  and  Manati  is  a  great  swamp,  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  railroad 
and  on  the  north  by  a  range  of  low  hills,  separating  it  from  the  sea.  In  the  time 
of  flood  this  section  discharges  its  waters  into  the  Arecibo  River,  near  its  mouth, 
by  the  Cano  Tihurones,  and  similarly  into  the  Manati  River  by  the  extension  of 
the  same  water  way. 

There  is  a  fringe  of  houses  along  the  coast  hills,  and  also  along  the  hills  just 
south  of  the  railroad.  The  small  town  of  Barceloneta  lies  on  a  little  higher 
ground,  east  of  the  true  swamp,  and  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Manati  River. 
There  are  two  good  roads  connecting  this  town  with  the  town  of  Barceloneta,  one 
lying  along  the  coast  and  one  just  south  of  the  railroad;  but  it  is  not  practicable 
to  use  these  roads  for  supply  of  that  town,  as  the  river  Arecibo  is  not  passable  for 
wagons  at  present.  Without  definite  knowledge  I  should  imagine  Manati  might 
supply  Barceloneta  by  wagons  to  the  bank  of  the  river  Manati,  very  near  the 
town.  These  supplies  could  be  crossed  in  boats  to  that  town. 

A  committee  has  just  reached  me  from  the  town  of  Utuado  with  a  most  appall- 
ing story  of  death,  hunger,  and  suffering.  They  state  that  some  1,500  persons  in 
the  jurisdiction  have  perished  and  that  to-day  the  food  supply  is  gone  and  starva- 
tion stares  them  in  the  face.  They  state  that  the  road  to  Ad  juntas  is  impassable 
and  the  road  to  this  town,  Arecibo— only  fit  for  packs— is  difficult.  I  expect  to 
send  medicine  and  provisions  to  Utuado  to-morrow  morning  on  pack  animals. 

The  population  of  that  district  being  40,000,  the  supplying  them  with  rations 
from  this  point  will  draw  heavily  upon  the  food  supplies  here.  Counting  upon 
Isabela,  which  has  been  supplied  from  here  thus  far,  and  Utuado,  the  population 
drawing  food  from  here  will  be  something  over  125,000  persons. 

The  daily  supply  to  this  number  will  require  not  less  than — 

Pounds. 

Of  rice 60,000 

Of  peas  .   .   ....  40, 000 

Of  codfish 60,000 

Of  sugar 30,000 

Of  salt... 15,000 

And  though  the  relief  rations  will  now  meet  these  figures,  the  supply  of  food  here 
available  will  be  rapidly  reduced.  I  suggest  that  a  shipload  of  supplies  be  sent 
here  without  delay. 


220   EEPOET  OF  THE  BOAED  OF  CHAEITIES  OF  POETO  EICO. 

The  firm  of  Roses  &  Co. ,  the  largest  dealers  here,  have  to-day  ordered  a  supply 
-of  salt  from  their  agents  in  San  Juan.  I  think,  after  this,  codfish  is  the  article 
most  needed,  as  the  supply  of  rice  is  fairly  good. 

I  received  to-day  an  order  to  send  Lieutenant  Valentine,  Fifth  Cavalry,  and 
certain  enlisted  men  to  San  Juan  to  appear  as  witnesses  in  a  court-martial  case. 

1  have  ventured  to  retain  Lieutenant  Valentine  here  a  few  days,  as  I  can  not 
properly  leave  this  station  to  attend  to  necessary  business  in  the  absence  of  my 
only  lieutenant.  It  is  very  probable  that  I  will  proceed  in  person  to  Utuado 
to-morrow,  the  15th  instant,  returning  August  16,  to  personally  examine  into  the 
truth  of  the  alarming  reports  received  from  that  point.  If  I  find  the  situation  as 
reported,  I  shall  endeavor,  with  native  labor,  to  improve  the  road  from  here  to 
Utuado,  with  a  view  to  supplying  that  town  from  Arecibo. 

In  the  meantime  over  3,000  rations  will  be  sent  there  to-morrow,  with  medicine 
and  dressings  for  the  300  men  reported  as  wounded  and  in  need  of  surgical  aid. 

Upon  my  return  from  Utuado  I  shall  visit  and  inspect  Barceloneta.  The  fol- 
lowing plan  has  been  adopted  for  relief  work: 

A.  Clear  communications. 

B.  Bury  bodies,  animals. 

C.  Issue  food,  medicine. 

D.  Erect  shelter. 

(A)  Alcaldes  to  send  out  parties  of  peons  to  open  roads  through  district,  so  as 
to  reach  distant  barracks.     Employment  to  be  given  to  men  not  being  fed  by 
•charity;  pay,  50  centavos.     Employment  to  those  being  fed  by  charity,  25  centavos. 
If  they  do  not  care  to  work,  remove  name  from  ration  list.     Man  in  charge  of  road 
to  receive  1  peso  daily.    Secure  tools  from  quartermaster  and  from  chief  quarter- 
master at  San  Juan. 

(B)  Bury  immediately  when  found  all  bodies  of  animals  and  other  bad-smelling 
matter.     Bury  all  corpses  when  and  where  directed  by  recent  rules  adopted  by 
city  council  and  board  of  public  health. 

(C)  Establish  main  ration  depot  in  town,  with  branch  depots  in  outlying  dis- 
tricts.    At  main  depots  list  all  supplies  received:  determine  amount  of  supplies  for 
•one  ration;  keep  full  account  of  all  supplies  to  branch  depots.    At  these  small 
depots  keep  full  list  of  all  persons  supplied,  together  with  amounts  of  rations 
issued  them. 

(D)  Find  out  from  carpenters  the  cost  of  repairing  houses  and  cost  of  putting 
np  small  cheap  shelters  against  bad  weather.    As  soon  as  roads  are  passable  and 
some  shelter  is  available,  persuade  all  persons  to  return  to  their  homes  and  plant 
such  food  plants  as  may  quickly  produce  corn,  batatas,  and  beans. 

(E)  Report  to  health  officers  all  cases  of   sickness,  so  they  may  be  properly 
attended  to. 

A  lieutenant  of  insular  police  came  into  town  last  night  from  Utnado.  and 
reports  that  the  only  road  I  can  take  pack  animals  into  Utuado  by  is  to  leave  Are- 
cibo by  Lares  road,  following  this  until  near  Pajorit,  thence  southwest  to  barrio 
Aibonito,  barrio  Angeles,  and  easterly  to  Utuado.  He  reports  that  all  roads  down 
Bio  Grande  Valley  are  absolutely  destroyed. 

If  the  Utuado-Ponce  road  be  not  repairable,  and  it  becomes  necessary  to  supply 
Utuado  from  Arecibo,  a  50-nmle  pack  train  here  will  be  much  needed. 

I  inclose  a  few  photographs  of  the  flood  at  Arecibo,  and  shall  endeavor  to  take 
some  views  on  my  trip  to  Utuado. 

The  hurricane  has  been  a  most  disastrous  affair  for  the  island,  and  its  evil  effects 
-will  be  felt  for  years.  At  present  the  crying  need  is  food,  shelter,  and  clothing. 

The  first  requisite  is  being  attended  to:  regarding  the  second,  lumber,  con- 
sisting of  boards,  small  scantling,  and  nails  and  shingles  are  necessary.  Any 
quantity  of  this  material  could  be  used  to  advantage  throughout  the  island. 

If  there  is  any  duty  on  this  material  at  present,  1  trust  it  may  be  removed. 

As  regards  clothing,  calico  for  the  women  and  some  sort  of  drill  for  the  men 
is  all  that  is  essential. 

Very  respectfully,  A.  C.  MACOMB, 

Certain,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding  Post. 


POST  OF  MAYAGUEZ,  P.  R.,  August  15,  1S99. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  morning  of  the  12th  instant  I  sent  a 
sergeant  and  one  private  from  this  place  with  a  report  of  the  results  of  the  recent 
hurricane,  as  far  as  I  know,  with  orders  to  reach  you  at  San  Juan  as  soon  as  pos- 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    I^ORTO    RICO.        221 

sible.  If  they  have  been  successful  in  their  attempts  to  get  across  the  country  by- 
trail  in  spite  of  the  fallen  timber  and  other  obstacles  they  should  reach  San  Juan 
this  evening.  A  verbal  report  was  also  sent  by  Dr.  Groff .  secretary  of  the  Supe- 
rior Board  of  Health,  who  arrived  here  on  the  Longfellow  on  the  llth  instant  and 
continued  his  journey  the  same  day  to  Ponce.  To-day  Captain  Williamson.  Quar- 
termaster's Department,  reported  to  me,  having  arrived  from  Ponce  last  night, 
and  left  this  afternoon  for  Aguadilla  by  chartered  schooner.  By  him  I  also  sent 
such  late  information  as  was  considered  of  value.  This  evening  at  7  o'clock  the 
Slocum  arrived  in  port,  and  as  it  leaves  for  San  Juan  this  evening  at  11  o'clock  I 
send  this  by  Captain  Shemson. 

In  regard  to  the  losses  suffered  by  the  hurricane  of  the  8th  instant  there  is  little 
to  report  beyond  what  was  given  in  my  first.  In  that  I  informed  you  that  there 
were  but  2  lives  lost  in  M  ayaguez,  those  of  a  woman  and  a  child  drowned  in  the 
harbor.  They  belonged  to  the  party  of  emigrants  that  sailed  from  San  Juan  for 
San  Domingo.  Many  of  the  houses  in  Mayaguez  were  deprived  of  their  galvanized- 
iron  roofs,  but  not  a  single  solid  structure  was  blown  down,  although  many  huts 
and  frame  houses  along  the  beach  were  destroyed  or  badly  injured.  The  houses 
and  sugar  mills  in  the  surrounding  country  were  unroofed  and  otherwise  injured 
very  extensively.  The  Anasco  River  overflowed  its  banks,  carried  away  the  steel 
bridge  belonging  to  the  railroad  company,  and  destroyed  thousands  of  dollars' 
worth  of  growing  sugar  cane.  The  banana  and  cocoanut  trees  were  in  many  cases 
entirely  destroyed,  and  in  others  ruined  for  a  year  or  more  to  come.  The  coffee 
crop  has  been  almost  destroyed  throughout  the  surrounding  country,  it  having 
suffered  the  worst  injury  from  a  hailstorm  which  beat  down  upon  the  trees  about 
8  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  9th  instant,  the  plants  looking  as  though  they  had 
been  burned  by  fire. 

The  barracks  in  Mayaguez  suffered  but  trifling  damage.  Two  new  stables  were 
blown  down,  and  one  old  one,  rented  from  the  street-car  company,  was  about  half 
blown  away.  Unless  the  owner  can  be  induced  to  make  extensive  repairs  it  will 
be  unsafe  for  horses  to  be  kept  in  it. 

The  military  hospital  was  so  badly  damaged  that  the  patients  had  to  be  moved 
to  a  large  room  in  the  barracks,  where  they  were  made  very  comfortable.  A  very 
large  and  commodious  building,  newly  floored  and  painted,  was  fortunately  found 
for  rent,  and  has  been  rented  at  a  cost  of  $72  per  month  for  as  long  a  time  as  it 
may  be  needed.  It  is  a  very  desirable  location,  and  has  many  advantages  as  a 
hospital  over  the  one  injured  by  the  storm.  Whether  it  will  be  worth  while  to 
repair  the  hospital  or  not  is  a  serious  question.  Nearly  all  the  walls  have  a  thick- 
ness of  only  one  brick,  unbonded  from  top  to  bottom,  and  consequently  liable  to 
topple  over  at  any  time  if  shaken  by  an  earthquake  or  a  heavy  wind. 

At  Las  Marias  the  barracks  were  entirely  unroofed  and  the  stable  destroyed. 
The  troops  have  been  made  comparatively  comfortable  lor  the  present.  The  town 
was  badly  wrecked  and  some  lives  lost  in  the  vicinity  by  drowning.  At  Maricao- 
the  river  overflowed  its  banks  and  ran  through  the  buildings  occupied  by  the 
troops,  and  flooded  the  town  in  places.  Some  14  persons  are  reported  to  have  been 
drowned  in  the  vicinity  of  Maricao.  At  La  Vega  the  loss  of  life  was  greater  than 
at  any  other  place  in  this  district,  the  number  of  deaths  by  drowning  amounting 
to  33,  among  them  some  quite  prominent  people.  The  whole  number  of  lives  lost 
in  this  district  by  the  hurricane,  according  to  the  best  information  I  have  been 
able  to  obtain,  will  not  exceed  100,  and  may  not  amount  to  that. 

San  German  suffered  very  little  in  the  destruction  of  life  and  property.  Such 
damage  as  was  done  to  the  building  occupied  by  the  troops  can  be  repaired  at 
slight  cost.  I  am  happy  to  be  able  to  report  that  not  a  soldier  or  horse  has  been 
killed  or  seriously  injured  at  any  of  the  places  occupied  by  the  troops  under  my 
command. 

All  communication  by  telegraph,  railroad,  and  wagon  road,  except  that  to  Yauco 
by  wagon  road,  has  been  cut  off  and  remains  so.  The  telegraph  line  to  San  Ger- 
man, which  is  being  repaired  by  soldiers,  will  probably  be  in  operation  to-morrow. 
So  much  telegraph  wire  has  been  washed  away  that  it  will  be  very  difficult  to- 
repair  lines  unless  a  supply  of  wire  be  sent  here.  It  can  be  bought  here  if  author- 
ity to  purchase  be  given.  The  old  poles  have  been  so  badly  broken  that  but  few 
of  them  can  be  used  again.  One  or  two  bridges  on  the  San  German  road  have  been 
either  partially  or  wholly  carried  away,  and  in  one  place  the  solidly  macadamized 
roadbed  has  been  washed  out  for  more  than  a  hundred  yards,  so  that  the  main 
bridge  over  the  river  can  not  be  crossed. 

The  destruction  of  the  coffee  crop,  upon  which  most  of  the  planters  here  founded 
their  hopes  of  paying  their  taxes  and  other  debts  and  obtaining  their  necessary 
capital  for  future  generations,  is  a  blow  from  which  the  island  will  not  soon  recover. 
The  loss  of  the  bananas  and  small  fruits,  upon  which  the  laboring  classes  princi- 
pally depended  for  subsistence,  will  produce  an  amount  of  misery  almost  impos- 


222       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

sible  to  realize.  Now  that  they  are  living  on  those  articles  which  have  fallen  to 
the  ground,  they  are  not  suffering  so  much  perhaps,  but  after  their  supply  has 
been  exhausted  and  can  not  be  renewed  the  real  pinch  of  hunger  will  be  felt,  and 
the  suffering  will  be  appalling. 

Granted  that  relief  will  be  afforded  from  the  United  States,  the  great  problem 
will  be  to  distribute  the  food  so  that  it  shall  reach  the  needy  and  be  given  to  them 
in  such  a  way  as  to  neither  pauperize  them  nor  deprive  the  planters  of  their  usual 
help.  Most  of  the  homes  of  the  agricultural  laborers  are  in  places  almost  inacces- 
sible to  any  but  pedestrians. 

Should  the  people  be  brought  to  some  central  points  designated  in  the  different 
parts  of  the  districts  to  receive  food,  they  will  pass  a  great  part  of  their  time  in 
traveling  to  and  fro,  which  will  be  so  much  to  be  deducted' from  the  time  they 
should  give  to  labor  and  wage  earning.  It  seems  to  me  a  system  that  would  give 
a  certain  amount  of  wages  and  board  (rations)  to  the  men  for  work  done  on  public 
roads  or  other  works,  if  such  a  one  can  be  devised,  would  go  far  to  prevent  the  growth 
of  the  idea  that  men  are  to  be  supported  and  encouraged  in  idleness  by  the  generosity 
of  the  Government.  In  such  a  scheme,  while  the  board  (rations)  would  maintain 
the  laborer  and  keep  him  in  condition  to  work,  the  wages  would  enable  him  to 
support  his  family. 

The  money  which  the  department  commander  was  considerate  enough  to  transmit 
to  me,  before  he  could  possibly  know  anything  about  the  situation  here,  will  be  dis- 
bursed strictly  in  accordance  with  his  instructions:  but  I  am  very  much  afraid 
that  the  placing  of  this  money  in  the  hands  of  the  heads  of  families  may  result  in 
its  being  spent  for  rum  or  squandered  in  gambling  and  the  helpless  women  and 
children  left  to  suffer.  To  intrust  it  to  the  officers  of  the  towns  would  entirely 
defeat  the  object  of  the  fund,  as  is  well  understood  by  those  familiar  with  the  cus- 
toms of  the  country. 

I  have  been  asked  by  some  ladies  of  the  relief  society  organized  here  to-day  at 
the  request  of  some  of  the  Porto  Rican  ladies  belonging  to  the  association,  to  use 
my  best  endeavors  to  prevent  any  relief  supplies  that  may  be  sent  here  from  being 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  mayor  or  council  believing  as  they  do  that  such 
supplies  should  be  controlled  and  disposed  of  either  by  the  military  authorities  or 
the  Red  Cross  Society  in  order  to  prevent  a  misuse  of  them. 
Very  respectfully, 

C.  C.  C.  CARR, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding. 


POST  OF  MAYAGUEZ,  P.  R.,  August  18,  1899. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan.  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  a  messenger  arrived  here  at  4.30  yesterday 
afternoon  from  Ponce  and  delivered  to  me  the  following  communication  from 
your  office  viz: 

Department  of  Porto  Rico,  August  9,  1899. 

General  Orders,  No.  115,  Department  of  Porto  Rico,  August  11,  1899. 

Notice,  Department  of  Porto  Rico,  August  14,  1899. 

Letters  of  August  11,  1899,  Department  of  Porto  Rico! 

Letters  of  August  14,  1899. 

Circular  letters  of  August  19th,.  1899. 

General  Orders,  No.  117,  c.  s.,  Department  of  Porto  Rico. 

The  orders  for  the  commanding  officer  of  Aguadilla  and  San  German  were  for- 
warded to  them  by  special  messengers  yesterday  evening  as  soon  as  they  could  be 
got  ready  for  their  respective  journeys. 

I  have  already  made  all  the  preparations  possible  for  the  reception  of  relief 
stores  expected,  and  the  necessary  arrangement  for  their  prompt  distribution. 
The  pack  train  of  42  mules  at  Las  Marias  I  sent  for  last  night,  and  it  will  be  of 
immense  service  in  distributing  supplies  throughout  the  country  where  it  is 
impossible  for  wagons  to  go. 

A  woman's  relief  society  was  organized  here  some  days  ago,  composed  of  army 
officers'  wives  and  ladies  of  Mayaguez,  and  they  have  already  done  good  work  in 
making  clothing  for  women  and  children  and  furnishing  work  and  wages  to  needy 
women. 

The  suffering  for  food  in  Mayaguez  and  its  vicinity  is  not  so  great  as  might  be 
thought,  for  the  town  was  not  very  seriously  damaged,  and  the  repairing  of  such 
damages  as  did  occur  has  furnished  employment  to  carpenters  and  other  laboring 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   223 

people,  who  have  been  for  a  long  time  unemployed.  Of  course  there  will  be  many 
people  who  will  have  to  be  fed  for  a  while,  but  the  number  of  these  in  Mayaguez 
in  propprtion  to  the  whole  number  in  the  district,  including  Anasco,  La  Vega, 
Las  Marias,  and  Maricao,  is  comparatively  small.  La  Vega  is  a  barrio  or  ward 
of  Mayaguez,  and,  although  a  hamlet,  the  loss  of  life,  principally  by  drowning,  is 
reported  to  have  amounted  to  33  lives.  The  destitute  in  the  village  and  its  imme- 
diate vicinity  number  about  200.  Anasco,  although  the  center  of  a  large  sugar 
industry,  appears  to  have  been  badly  managed  for  some  years  past,  and  now  that 
it  has  received  this  additional  and  expensive  blow  it  is  in  a  very  bad  condition 
indeed. 

The  mayor,  feeling  himself  unable  to  compel  the  council  to  do  anything  to  relieve 
the  situation,  tendered  his  resignation.  A  committee  of  citizens  sent  a  petition  to 
me  to  ask  that  I  send  an  army  officer  to  take  charge  of  the  mayoralty,  which 
request  I  promptly  refused  to  grant— first,  because  I  considered  it  contrary  to  good 
public  policy,  and,  second,  because  I  had  no  officer  to  spare  for  such  a  purpose. 

The  town  of  Las  Marias  was  generally  wrecked,  and  as  the  village  already  owes 
about  20.000  pesos,  it  can  obtain  no  money  to  help  the  need)7  citizens  in  repairing 
the  damage  done,  paying  the  police,  maintaining  lights,  etc. 

The  rural  population  about  Las  Marias  has  been  in  a  poverty-stricken  condition 
ever  since  I  first  heard  of  the  place,  and  will  require  a  considerable  amount  of 
supplies  to  put  the  people  in  a  condition  to  undertake  work  of  any  kind. 

Maricao,  from  the  very  best  information  I  have  been  able  to  obtain,  has  been 
for  years  the  victim  of  officeholders,  who  have  either  so  managed  affairs  in  their 
own  interests,  or  mismanaged  them  as  regards  the  interest  of  tbe  public,  that  the 
distress  at  present  existing  among  the  laboring  class  must  be  very  great  and  in 
need  of  immediate  relief. 

Hormigueros,  since  last  year,  when  it  was  annexed,  on  petition  of  the  property 
owners,  to  Mayaguez,  forms  a  barrio  of  the  latter,  and.  so  far  as  relief  work  is  con- 
cerned, is  included  in  it.  Whatever  distress  there  is  must  exist  among  the  people 
living  on  the  sugar  and  coffee  plantations,  for  what  is  known  as  the  town  of  Hor- 
migueros consists  of  a  few  houses  only,  collected  about  the  church. 

In  view  of  the  urgent  instructions  of  the  department  commander  to  see  that  no 
one  is  allowed  to  actually  suffer  for  want  of  food,  and  seeing  that  the  relief  sup- 
plies promised  have  not  yet  arrived,  and  may  not  arrive  for  a  day  or  two,  I  have 
taken  the  responsibility  to  order  the  immediate  distribution  among  those  without 
food  of  a  portion  of  the  hard  bread  in  the  commissary  here.  Of  this  there  is  more 
than  9,000  pounds,  which  was  submitted  to  a  board  of  survey  some  months  ago. 
The  board  recommended  that  it  be  submitted  to  the  action  of  an  inspector.  After 
having  it  examined  myself,  and  finding  that  only  a  part  of  it  was  affected,  we  di- 
rected that  it  be  kept,  and  when  issuing  it,  if  a  box  was  found  unfit  for  use,  it  be 
set  aside  and  then  inspected,  instead  of  having  it  condemned  all  at  once.  The 
bread  was  inspected  again  to-day,  with  the  following  result:  Twenty-five  hundred 
pounds  of  old  square  crackers  are  in  fair  condition;  the  remainder  consists  of 
small  crackers  in  pasteboard  boxes,  in  good  condition. 

The  portion  which  I  have  ordered  issued  to  the  poor  is  the  2,500  pounds  of  square 
crackers,  which  are  not  needed  here  and  will  probably  spoil  if  kept  in  store. 

I  have  already  sent  some  of  them  to  Anasco;  the  others  will  go  to  La  Vega,  Las 
Marias,  and  Maricao  by  pack  train  to-morrow. 

I  have  ordered  this  issue— or  distribution,  rather — for  the  reasons  given,  and 
with  the  belief  that  it  will  meet  with  the  approval  of  the  department  commander. 
It  is  the  only  means  I  have  of  relieving  the  actual  suffering  of  women  and  children. 

The  telegraph  is  now  in  operation  between  here  and  San  German,  and  will  be 
working  through  to  Ponce  to-morrow  evening.  Work  will  begin  on  the  telegraph 
line  between  Mayaguez  and  Aguadilla  to-morrow  morning.  According  to  the 
latest  reliable  information,  much  of  the  wire  and  many  of  the  poles  on  that  line 
can  be  used  again.  The  wires  to  Las  Marias  will,  I  think,  be  in  operation  again 
within  two  days. 

I  have  heard  nothing  directly  from  Sergeant- Major  Zimmerman,  sent  with  one 
man  on  August  13  with  my  official  report  to  you  of  the  condition  existing  here 
after  the  hurricane.  Some  one  reported  that  he  (Zimmerman)  had  been  seen  north 
of  Lares  struggling  with  the  difficulties  of  the  deep  streams  and  obstructed  trails 
in  his  effort  to  get  through  to  San  Juan,  but  the  report  has  not  been  verified. 

This  letter  will  be  sent  by  currier  via  Ponce,  as  the  most  direct  and  practicable 
route  known  at  present. 

Very  respectfully,  C.  C.  C.  CARR. 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding. 

Since  the  departure  of  the  currier  for  Ponce  with  the  original  of  this  letter  the 
Longfellow  has  arrived  in  port,  and  this  will  be  sent  by  her. 


224   EEPOET  OF  THE  BOAKD  OF  CHAEITIES  OF  POETO  EICO. 

P.  S. — I  inclose  a  telegram  just  received  from  Captain  Schuyler,  the  first  to  pass 
over  the  reconstructed  line,  showing  the  condition  of  affairs  at  Cabo  Rojo: 

"The  wire  seems  to  be  connected  for  dry  weather.  Rode  to  Cabo  Rojo  this 
morning.  That  district  did  not  suffer  much,  but  I  did  not  see  it  all." 


SAN  GERMAN,  P.  R.,  August  17,  1899. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER,  Mayaguez,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  received  the  order  last  night  about  the  issue  of  rations,  etc.  I  find  I  have 
pretty  well  anticipated  them  in  what  1  have  done,  having  ridden  over  most  of  the 
division  myself  and  having  begun  the  organization  of  committees  on  the  principle 
of  boards  of  charities.  From  what  I  can  hear  from  other  parts  of  the  island,  I 
judge  we  are  very  fortunate  here.  The  most  serious  loss  is  on  the  crops  of  bana- 
nas and  other  small  stuff  usually  depended  on  for  food  supply.  This  is  a  great 
coffee  country,  and  the  damage  to  the  plantations  will  take  four  or  five  years  to 
repair,  being  chiefly  in  the  destruction  of  the  shade  trees.  The  crop  this  year  was 
to  have  been  a  good  average  crop. 

About  25  per  cent  of  the  berries  are  now  on  the  ground,  thrashed  off  by  the  wind, 
and  about  35  per  cent  will  hereafter  drop  off  by  reason  of  the  sunburn.  I  have 
met  some  of  the  largest  and  most  intelligent  planters,  and  they  agree  on  that  point. 
I  have  seen  some  of  the  planters,  and  expect  to  see  a  great  many  more  when  I  get 
a  look  at  the  country  above  Sabana  Grande.  It  is  apparent  that  the  trees  are  gone, 
all  broken  off  and  thrown  down  on  the  coffee.  The  people  have  suffered  most 
where  the  water  could  reach  them  in  the  river  valleys.  Along  the  Hosario  there 
is  apparent  destruction.  It  is  going  to  be  a  serious  problem  how  to  keep  the  poor 
in  this  country  without  helping  them  too  much.  All  the  people  here  agree,  and  I 
think  they  are  right,  that  if  rations  are  issued  freely  the  laborers  will  not  work, 
not  even  to  repair  their  own  homes.  The  planters  need  hands  to  clear  up  their 
plantations  and  save  the  crops,  and  they  are  afraid  they  can  not  get  them.  Even 
now  the  windfall  has  put  so  much  fruit  in  the  peons'  way  that  it  is  hard  to  get 
them  to  do  anything  until  that  is  gone  and  they  are  actually  starving.  The  sugar 
planters  will  suffer  very  little,  as  all  they  need  do  is  to  shovel  the  sand  out  of  their 
districts,  but  with  the  coffee  in  the  mountains  it  is  different.  It  is  not  necessary 
to  enlarge  on  the  labor  question  further  than  to  say  that  in  my  opinion  the  wise 
plan  would  be  to  devise  a  method  by  which  no  rations  should  be  issued  (except  to 
the  sick  and  aged)  unless  there  be  an  equivalent  in  labor,  either  on  the  roads  or 
on  the  plantations  or  somewhere. 

Suppose  we  say  to  the  man  with  a  wife  and  three  children,  "  I  will  give  you  five 
rations  of  rice  (one  for  your  whole  family)  if  you  do  a  half  day's  work  (five 
hours)."  I  am  told  there  are  plenty  of  men  who  would  let  their  families  starve 
before  they  would  work,  even  under  these  conditions.  The  island  would  be  the 
richer  should  such  men  die,  but  I  suppose  we  can  not  stand  by  and  see  them  do  it. 
I  do  not  believe  that  we  ought  to  issue  one  ounce  of  foodstuff  to  any  able-bodied 
man  unless  he  does  a  certain  amount  of  work  for  it,  if  it  is  only  carrying  two 
stones  from  one  side  of  the  road  to  the  other.  It  would  take  more  organization 
to  put  this  into  practice.  Perhaps  the  planters  are  entitled  to  help  at  this  time. 
Let  them  work  the  peons  for  their  rations,  and  we  will  call  their  superintendence 
a  fair  equivalent  for  the  work  the  peons  do  on  their  property. 
Very  respectfully, 

W.  S.  SCHUYLER, 
Captain,  Fifth  Cavalry. 

POST  OF  MAYAGUEZ,  P.  R.,  September  5, 1899. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  yesterday  the  San  German  and  Mayaguez 
road  was  cleared  sufficiently  to  allow  of  the  passage  of  two  troops  of  cavalry,  with 
wagon  transportation,  by  using  the  iron  bridge  of  the  railroad  company,  on  which 
a  temporary  flooring  was  laid.  The  bridge  lately  reconstructed  by  the  troops  was 
found,  after  the  subsidence  of  the  water,  still  in  position,  and,  although  injured, 
can  be  used  again.  The  whole  road  is  in  a  terrible  condition,  and  should  be  sys- 
tematically repaired  throughout  the  entire  length.  The  stock  of  relief  supplies  on 
hand  was  sufficient  to  prevent  any  suffering  while  communication  was  inter- 
rupted, and  a  new  supply  was  sent  out  with  the  first  wagon  that  passed  over  the 
road. 

Very  respectfully,  C.  C.  C.  CARR, 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Commanding. 


EEPOET  OF  THE  BOAED  OF  CHAEITIES  OF  POETO  EICO.   225 

The  formal  and  unvarnished  language  of  a  military  report  in  its 
very  formality  produces  an  impression  which  carries  conviction.  Hun- 
dreds of  other  reports,  covering  this  period  and  the  progress  of  the 
work,  have  been  received  from  civil  authorities  as  well  as  other 
sources.  Every  effort  was  made  to  so  perfect  the  service  of  informa- 
tion that  no  step  should  be  taken  in  the  dark.  But  in  spite  of  this, 
the  difficulty  of  ascertaining  what  the  exact  situation  was  at  any  given 
period  of  the  work  from  the  beginning  was  extreme.  The  difference 
in  language  was  perhaps  the  greatest  barrier,  but  the  difference  in 
everything  else  except  our  common  ancestor  Adam  made  exact  infor- 
mation almost  as  hard  of  attainment  as  in  campaign. 

There  was  neither  hesitancy  in  formulating  a  plan  of  relief  nor  inde- 
cision in  executing  it.  In  the  absence  of  exact  information  it  was 
assumed  that  one-fourth  of  the  population  would  in  a  few  days  be 
foodless  and  would  remain  so  until  the  bananas  and  plantains  could 
be  reproduced. 

Habitations  and  clothing,  though  everywhere  desirable,  are  not  so 
essential  in  the  Tropics  as  in  more  northerly  latitudes.  But  food  is  a 
sine  qua  non  to  existence  anywhere,  and  its  getting  and  distribution 
were  the  two  subjects  which  most  concerned  the  military  government 
almost  before  the  hurricane  had  fully  spent  its  force. 

The  details  of  organization  for  relief  are  set  forth  in  a  previous 
report  (see  p.  298)  and  are  unnecessary  to  repeat  here.  The  plan  suf- 
ficed from  the  beginning  to  accomplish  its  object,  i.  e.,  to  feed  the 
people.  Wide  latitude  was  given  to  the  division  inspectors  of  relief 
(army  officers),  who  were  on  the  ground  and  responsible  for  the  work 
in  their  respective  divisions.  Exact  accountability  for  supplies  was 
demanded,  and  all  accounts  are  being  duly  audited. 

It  will  be  observed  by  reference  to  the  original  estimate  that  the 
limit  of  time  set  for  the  continuance  of  relief  was  four  months.  This 
was  based  upon  the  best  information  then  obtainable  as  to  when  the 
bananas  and  plantains  would  probably  be  reproduced. 

This  information  was  erroneous,  due  doubtless  to  the  fact  that  dam- 
age to  these  plants  was  much  more  radical  than  supposed.  Indeed, 
most  of  these  had  to  be  cut  down  to  the  ground,  and  only  now,  after 
nearly  a  year,  are  bananas  and  plantains  beginning  to  ripen. 

OUTLINE   OF  THE  ADMINISTEATION. 

The  administrative  work  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico 
embraced  two  departments: 

First.  General  relief. 

Second.  The  charitable  institutions. 

The  former  sprang  into  existence  in  a  day  and  had  to  be  organized 
ab  initio. 

The  latter  demanded  a  reorganization  so  radical  that  it  may  be  said 
to  be  de  novo. 

While  in  the  beginning  it  was  not  anticipated  that  the  necessity 
for  relief  would  extend  beyond  the  year  1899,  it  was  realized  that  a 
sufficiently  comprehensive  headquarters  organization  would  be  neces- 
sary to  enable  the  work  to  be  carried  on  intelligently. 

Methods,  books,  blanks,"  and  all  the  paraphernalia  of  a  business 
involving  the  expenditure  of  a  hundred  thousand  dollars-  monthly 
and  the  distribution  of  food  to  a  number  exceeding  that  of  the  entire 
United  States  Army  everywhere  had  not  only  to  be  obtained,  but 
actually  created  under  conditions  not  of  quiet  preparation,  but  of 

19709—01 15 


226       REPORT    OF    THE    BO.4RD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

immense  stress  and  current  demands  that  could  not  be  put  off.  Not 
only  had  the  people  to  be  fed,  but  a  system  of  accountability  devised 
by  which  the  authorities  could  be  assured  that  the  material  received 
had  reached  the  ultimate  individual  for  whom  it  was  intended. 

Cash  books,  ledgers,  journals,  letters  sent  and  received,  and  indorse- 
ment books,  invoices,  receipts,  returns,  all  the  thousand  and  one 
things  that  make  the  orderly  conduct  of  a  great  business  possible, 
had  to  be  improvised.  The  number  and  variety  of  blanks  alone  will 
furnish  sufficient  evidence  of  the  thoroughness  of  the  administrative 
work  of  this  board.  A  detailed  account  of  the  organization  of  the 
relief  work  will  be  found  by  reference  to  the  preliminary  report  of 
September  25, 1899  (p.  298).  The  plan  therein  outlined  was  continued 
throughout  the  period  of  relief,  except  that  after  the  permanent 
organization  of  the  municipal  boards  of  charities  (coincident  with 
that  of  the  civil  government)  no  responsibility  was  assumed  for  the 
chronic  poor  beyond  the  issue  of  food  for  them  to  the  local  boards. 

It  was  the  object  of  the  board  to  avoid  any  unnecessary  concentra- 
tion of  authority  or  the  hampering  in  any  way  of  the  work  in  the  divi- 
sions by  confining  the  inspectors  within  too  narrow  limits,  as  shown 
in  the  accompanying  circular  letter: 

The  COMMANDING  OFFICER, 


SIR:  By  reference  to  a  letter  from  the  adjutant-general  of  the  Department  of 
Porto  Rico,  dated  August  13,  1899,  it  will  be  seen  that  you  are  made  responsible 
for  the  distribution  of  relief  supplies  in  your  division  and  that  you  are  authorized 
and  urged  to  employ  all  lawful  means  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  work. 

The  adjutant-general  informs  me  that  the  intent  of  this  letter  was  to  enable  you 
to  so  control  the  actual  distribution  that  so  far  as  possible  relief  should  reach  the 
indigent  only. 

You  are  under  no  obligation  to  honor  a  request  for  rations  which  is  issued  to  an 
unworthy  person;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  important  that  such  should  not  receive 
relief. 

If  the  boards  of  charity  and  the  barrio  committee  are  neglectful  of  this  duty, 
you  should  endeavor  to  bring  them  to  a  realization  of  that  fact;  and  if  they  still 
fail,  then  suspend  them  wholly  or  in  part  and  appoint  others  provisionally,  notify- 
ing this  board  of  your  action. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

The  work  involved  in  the  execution  of  the  plan  of  planters'  relief 
fell  wholly  upon  the  clerical  force  of  the  chief  surgeon's  office,  as  it 
was  my  desire  to  keep  this  part  of  the  work  under  my  immediate  per- 
sonal supervision. 

The  organization  and  administration  of  this  work  is  set  forth  in  a 
special  chapter  devoted  to  this  subject  (p.  246). 

October  31,  Dr.  H.  W.  Cowper,  the  efficient  secretary  of  the  board, 
whose  health  had  broken  down,  was  relieved  from  duty  in  compliance 
with  Paragraph  I,  Special  Order  No.  212,  series  1899,  from  these  head- 
quarters, and  Capt.  (afterwards  Maj.)  P.  R.  Egan,  assistant  surgeon, 
United  States  Army,  was  detailed  as  secretary  and  disbursing  officer. 

Of  the  two  administrative  branches  noted  above,  that  pertaining  to 
the  relief  work  was  given  by  far  the  greater  attention.  This  was  nec- 
essarily so.  The  institutional  requirements,  neither  acute  nor  of  vital 
importance,  were  of  secondary  consideration  when  compared  with 
those  of  a  people  dependent  upon  this  work  for  their  very  lives,  and 
during  the  existence  of  this  board  the  latter  question  remained  to 
the  last  of  paramount  importance. 
•  'The  subject  of  transportation,  under  existing  conditions,  was  of 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   227 

primary  interest.  It  was  our  constant  endeavor  to  so  regulate  the 
allotment  of  supplies  to  the  divisions  and  so  manage  shipments  as  to 
time  and  route  as  to  cause  them  to  arrive  in  the  most  regular  and 
expeditious  manner. 

Before  the  arrival  of  the  first  cargo  complete  arrangements  had 
been  made  for  its  ultimate  distribution  by  the  following  communica- 
tions : 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  August  17,  1899. 
Maj.  THOMAS  CRUSE,  U.  S.  A., 

In  Charge  of  General  Depot,  Board  of  Charities. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  herewith  a  memorandum  showing  the  amount 
of  supplies  to  arrive  by  the  McPherson.  which  is  to  be  distributed  to  the  various 
depots.  Please  send  by  the  Borinquen  the  material  for  Fajardo,  Humacao,  and 
Arroyo,  and  the  detachment  (an  officer  and  20  men),  with  their  equipments  and 
supplies,  ordered  to  Fajardo.  After  this  boat  has  discharged  at  Arroyo  (where 
you  will  leave  a  noncommissioned  officer  in  charge  of  the  stores  until  its  return) 
it  will  proceed  to  Ponce  for  the  detachment  ordered  for  duty  at  Arroyo  and  carry 
it  to  that  point,  after  which  the  Borinquen  will  return  to  this  port. 

Send  by  the  Slocum  the  supplies  for  Manati  (which  should  be  landed  by  lighter 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Manati  River) ;  Arecibo  and  Lares  via  Arecibo;  Aguadilla, 
Mayaguez,  and  San  German  via  Mayaguez;  Ponce  and  Adjuntas  via  Ponce.  Upon 
reaching  Ponce  the  boat  will  go  to  G-uanica  with  the  detachment  and  supplies 
intended  for  that  point,  and  will  thereafter  return  to  San  Juan  or  proceed  to  such 
points  as  the  quartermaster  may  direct. 

You  will  please  at  once  arrange  for  transportation  to  interior  divisions  as  fol- 
lows: San  Juan,  Bayamon,  Caguas,  Cayey,  and  Aibonito,  and  notify  the  com- 
manding officer  at  Arecibo  to  forward  supplies  for  Lares,  the  commanding  officer 
at  Mayaguez  those  for  San  German,  and  the  commanding  officer  at  Ponce  those  for 
Adjuntas.  Division  inspectors  (local  commanders)  are  responsible  for  the  trans- 
portation of  material  within  their  own  district. 

A  reliable  noncommissioned  officer  will  accompany  each  boat  to  distribute  the 
supplies  for  each  port,  and  take  receipts  for  same. 

The  one  on  the  Borinquen,  as  above  indicated,  should  remain  at  Arroyo  in  charge 
of  material  pertaining  to  that  depot,  until  the  officer  in  charge  shall  arrive  from 
Ponce. 

Ration  cards  and  books  should  be  sent  to  each  point  and  will  be  furnished 
from  this  office. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. , 
President  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

This  was  supplemented  by  the  following  letter  to  the  several  com- 
manding officers : 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. ,  August  16,  1899. 
To  the  COMMANDING  OFFICER, 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  immediately  upon  the  arrival  of  the 
supply  ship,  material  will  be  transferred  to  the  Slocum,  going  west,  and  the 
Borinquen,  going  east.  These  boats  will  call  at  ports  on  their  respective  routes, 
and  will  there  land  the  material  for  the  sufferers.  It  would  be  well  for  you,  if 
possible,  to  send  one  man  by  the  boat  for  each  of  your  municipalities  that  can  be 
reached  by  water.  I  inclose  you  an  arbitrary  estimate  of  the  indigents,  which 
undoubtedly  experience  will  alter;  also  an  issue  card,  a  supply  of  which  will  be 
sent  you  as  soon  as  possible,  but  which  you  should  at  once  have  printed  in  ade- 
quate quantity  if  you  have  a  press  in  your  neighborhood.  I  also  inclose  a  copy  of 
regulations  governing  issues,  etc.  Additional  distributing  depots  will  be  estab- 
lished at  Fajardo,  Arroyo,  Caguas,  Guanica,  and  Bayamon  for  the  supply  of 
municipalities  in  their  neighborhood,  of  which  you  will  receive  notice  at  the 
earliest  practicable  moment.  Please  keep  the  board  informed  of  anything  that  will 
facilitate  the  work,  and  oblige, 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A., 
President  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 


228       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

As  the  organization  developed,  the  board  found  it  necessary  to 
establish  additional  depots  and  to  rearrange  some  of  the  divisions 
for  the  purpose  of  facilitating  distribution.  With  this  end  in  view, 
Comerio  was  transferred  to  the  division  of  Bayamon  on  August  20, 
and  Barceloneta  from  Arecibo  to  Manati  on  the  25th. 

It  was  of  course  desired  to  place  the  distribution  on  a  regular  and 
systematic  basis  as  soon  as  possible.  This,  however,  was  made  almost 
an  impossibilit}^  by  a  temporarily  insufficient  supply  of  means  of 
transportation,  even  for  the  few  roads  that  could  be  made  available. 
The  original  assignment  from  the  chief  quartermaster  proving  insuffi- 
cient, on  August  23  the  following  letter  was  sent  to  the  adjutant- 
general  urging  an  increase : 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  August  23,  1899. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  The  hurricane  has  so  seriously  interfered  with  communication  by  usual 
routes  of  travel  that  in  distributing  material  this  board  finds  it  necessary  to 
recommend  that  additional  wheel  and  water  transportation  be  provided  for  its 
work.  There  should  be  two  wagon  trains  organized  of  30  wagons  each,  and  pack 
trains  at  Arecibo,  Manati,  Mayaguez,  and  Adjuntas,  if  such  are  not  now  there. 
There  should  also  be  two  schooners  chartered,  one  for  use  at  San  Juan  and  the 
other  on  the  eastern  coast.  The  former  can  presently  be  dispensed  with  but  the 
latter  will  probably  have  to  be  continued  in  service  for  sometime. 

******* 

Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A., 
President  Board  of  Charities. 

The  foregoing  recommendations  having  been  approved  by  the 
department  commander,  were  put  into  effect  as  soon  as  practicable 
and  at  once  resulted  in  considerable  improvement.  A'schooner  was 
chartered  by  the  quartermaster's  department  and  stationed  at  Htirna- 
cao,  to  transport  rations  to  neighboring  municipalities  and  Vieques, 
also  one  for  Manati  and  Arecibo,  both  of  which  proved  extremely 
valuable,  and  were  indispensable  adjuncts  to  the  service  of  the  steam- 
ers Slocum  and  Borinquen. 

The  organization  of  the  general  supply  depot  and  "relief"  trans- 
portation having  been  largely  accomplished  early  in  September,  and 
the  requirements  for  the  divisions  approximately  estimated,  the  fol- 
lowing was  transmitted  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  depot, 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  September  7, 1899. 
The  OFFICER  IN  CHARGE  OF  GENERAL  SUPPLY  DEPOT, 

Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

SIR:  The  demands  to  be  made  upon  this  board  for  the  next  three  months  having 
become  more  clearly  denned,  I  have  the  honor  to  ask  that  you  make  the  necessary 
preparations  to  distribute  weekly  with  all  possible  dispatch  at  least  800  tons  of 
food.  Of  this  amount  approximately  seven- sixteenths  will  go  to  the  west  coast, 
including  Ponce,  five-sixteenths  will  go  to  San  Juan  and  interior  posts,  and  four- 
sixteenths  to  the  eastern  coast,  including  Arroyo. 

The  board  desires  to  be  informed  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment  of  the  receipt 
and  issue  of  material,  and  should  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  manifest  of 
arriving  cargoes,  that  the  same  may  be  duly  acknowledged,  particularly  to  indi- 
vidual contributors.  Please  send  all  such  you  may  now  have  which  have  not  yet 
been  furnished. 

All  medicines  received  should  be  sent  to  the  medical  supply  depot,  where  they 
will  be  repacked  and  returned  to  you  for  shipment  to  the  different  divisions. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        229 


All  cloth  in  pieces  and  like  material  should  be  sent  to  the  Woman's  Aid  Society, 
where  it  will  be  made  up,  packed,  and  returned  to  you  for  distribution. 

All  clothing  sent  from  home  should  be  repacked  by  you  and  distributed  as 
directed. 

To  avoid  confusion,  no  relief  material  of  any  kind  should  be  shipped  except  by 
the  authority  of  this  board. 

Please  inform  this  board  at  once  of  any  difficulty  that  may  arise  in  the  perform- 
ance of  your  arduous  work  that  it  can  assist  in  removing. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A., 
President  Board  of  Charities  Porto  Rico. 

Thereafter  it  was  merely  a  question  of  maintaining  the  adopted  plan 
in  operation.  This  was  not  an  easy  proposition,  for  the  resources 
were,  especially  in  the  beginning  of  the  work,  always  taxed  to  the 
utmost,  and  a  slight  disarrangement  resulted  in  a  disproportionate 
amount  of  inconvenience. 

The  ultimate  distribution  was  entirely  in  charge  of  the  division 
inspectors,  and  was  usually  accomplished  by  the  municipalities 
interested,  who  pressed  into  service  such  pack  trains  and  ox  carts  as 
were  available.  In  certain  cases  where  this  was  declared  imprac- 
ticable by  the  division  inspector,  the  quartermaster's  department 
was  called  upon  to  pay  the  expenses  incurred.  In  at  least  one  in- 
stance this  board  considered  it  necessary  to  order  issues  to  a  munici- 
pality to  cease  until  it  should  furnish  sufficient  transportation.  The 
transportation  was  furnished.  On  many  other  occasions  like  diffi- 
culties arose  throughout  the  island  and  were  met  according  to  each 
particular  case. 

The  following  letter  was  indicative  of  a  general  plan  followed  in 
such  cases,  which  was  to  take  advantage  of  every  condition  in  the 
endeavor  to  supply  stations  expeditiously : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  August  24,  1899. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER,  Arroyo,  P.  R. 

SIR:  The  department  commander  directs  that  upon  the  arrival  of  the  ship  from 
Jamaica,  loaded  with  vegetables  for  the  relief  work,  you  will  take  charge  of  her, 
and  go  yourself  or  send  a  reliable  noncommissioned  officer  with  the  ship  to  the 
following-named  ports,  and  distribute  the  material  as  indicated.  The  distribu- 
tion is  made  by  percentage  of  the  total  weight  of  the  cargo,  the  amount  and 
character  of  which  are  unknown  in  this  office  at  present. 


Per  cent. 

Arecibo. 14.24 

SanJuan 28.98 

Fajardo. .._     3.40 

Humacao  _  _  6. 80 


Per  cent. 
Arroyo _ 4.5 

Ponce... _ .  12.67 

Gruanica 4.2 

Mayaguez 15.24 

Aguadilla. 9. 92 

This  order  is  contingent  upon  authority  being  granted  by  consignee;  in  other 
event  the  cargo  should  come  to  San  Juan,  or  as  a  last  resource  be  unloaded  at 
Arroyo. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.S.A., 
President  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

The  method  of  distribution,  with  adequate  facilities,  now  became  a 
matter  of  requisition  by  a  division  inspector  on  the  board  of  chari- 
ties, Porto  Rico,  which  placed  the  order  with  the  supply  depot,  to  be 
shipped  in  weekly  and  regular  amounts;  and  this  applied  as  well  to 
material  other  than  food.  Medicines  were  received  in  quantity.  A 


230   EEPOKT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

large  requisition  had  been  filled  in  New  York,  in  compliance  with  the 
following  letter : 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.t  August  25,  1899. 
COMMANDING  GENERAL  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

GENERAL:  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  herewith  a  requisition  for  medicines 
based  upon  the  estimated  requirements  of  the  probable  sick  here  for  the  ensuing 
three  months,  with  the  request  that  the  material  mentioned  may  be  furnished  at 
the  earliest  practicable  moment. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A., 
President  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

These  were  transferred  to  the  medical  supply  depot,  where  they 
were  repacked  on  order  from  this  board  and  shipped  with  food  supplies. 
This  was  earty  realized  to  be  a  most  important  branch  of  the  relief 
work.  The  poverty  of  the  municipalities  made  the  purchase  of  medi- 
cine or  the  engagement  of  practitioners  by  them  impossible.  v  Until 
the  above  requisition  could  be  filled,  authority  was  granted  to  the 
surgeons  to  issue  from  the  medical  stores  of  the  Army,  according  to 
the  letter  of  the  chief  surgeon  of  the  28th  of  August,  as  follows : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  August  28,  1899. 
To  the  SURGEON, 


SIR:  Such  remedies  as  may  be  supplied  for  the  treatment  of  the  indigent  Porto 
Ricans  will  be  issued  to  you,  and  from  these  requisitions  made  by  the  inspector  of 
the  division  in  which  you  are  located,  or  from  neighboring  divisions  in  which 
there  is  no  military  hospital,  will  be  filled.  Until  these  supplies  arrive,  you  are 
authorized  to  furnish  such  simple  remedies  from  your  hospital  as  can  be  spared 
without  immediate  detriment  to  the  service,  resupplying  yourself  when  necessary 
by  special  requisition,  and  ultimately  replacing  the  issue  from  the  relief  medicines 
furnished  you  as  above  set  forth.  You  will  keep  an  accurate  account  of  all  mate- 
rial received  and  issues  made,  giving  and  taking  receipts  for  the  same  in  duplicate 
on  the  regular  form  and  rendering  a  return  to  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico 
upon  completion  of  the  relief  work. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  Chief  Surgeon. 

The  following  letter  explains  itself: 

Dr.  WILLIAM  FAWCETT  SMITH, 

5  Santo  Cristo  Street,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  You  are  appointed  a  physician  to  the  board  of  charities  and  will  proceed 
to  Humacao  by  the  boat  leaving  on  Saturday,  or  sooner  if  possible.  There  you 
will  report  to  the  commanding  officer  of  that  station  for  service  among  the  suf- 
ferers from  the  recent  hurricane.  While  you  are  on  this  duty  you  will  receive 
an  honorarium  at  the  rate  of  $100  monthly.  You  will  report  to  the  board  each 
week  or  oftener,  giving  station  and  duty,  number  and  character  of  cases  treated, 
sanitary  conditions,  food  supplies,  other  wants,  etc. ;  in  fact,  any  information  that 
will  be  of  value  in  alleviating  the  situation. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF. 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

A  similar  letter  was  sent  to  Dr.  Abella  Blanco  of  San  Juan,  P.  R. 
This  was  in  response  to  an  urgent  call  from  the  division  inspector  at 
Humacao.  These  physicians  remained  under  the  direction  of  the 
commanding  officer,  Humacao,  and  did  admirable  work.  Reports 
were  made  by  them  to  this  board.  The  plan  of  appointing  outside 
physicians  was  not  encouraged,  but  every  effort  was  made  to  see  that 
the  many  municipal  physicians  were  impressed  with  their  duty  in  this 
crisis.  Every  material  aid  was  rendered  them.  The  letter  to  the  com- 
manding officer,  Manati,  is  typical  of  numerous  ones  on  this  subject. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.       231 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  September  7,  1899. 
The  COMMANDING  OFFICER,  Manati,  P.  R. 

SIR:  Physician  at  Ciales  reports  the  lack  of  medicines  there.    Please  investigate 
and  send  such  as  may  be  necessary,  as  suggested  in  a  previous  communication. 
Very  respectfully, 

J.  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

Reports  of  such  need  were  closely  investigated  by  the  respective 
commanding  officers,  and  upon  their  recommendation  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  medicines  and  medical  supplies  were  forwarded. 

As  a  corollary  to  this  work  the  board  impressed  upon  all  concerned 
the  vital  necessity  for  sanitation,  or  at  least  simple  cleanliness.  There 
was  a  noticeable  lack  of  endeavor  on  the  part  of  local  authorities  in 
this  direction,  and  reports  frequently  reached  the  office  such  as  to 
prompt  a  reply  similar  to  the  following : 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  31, 1899. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER,  Fajardo,  P.  R. 
SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  the  following  report  has  reached  this  office: 

"Rio  GRANDE. 

"No  resumption  of  sanitary  work;  the  streets  are  full  of  filth,  as  are  also  the 
back  yards  and  ruined  houses. " 

Please  have  the  matter  investigated,  and  if  necessary  corrected. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

This  was  just  the  class  of  work  that  was  expected  in  return  for 
rations,  especially  in  the  early  days.  As  elsewhere  and  frequently 
noted,  how  to  make  the  able-bodied  work  was  a  most  difficult  prob- 
lem. The  first  system  of  food  distribution  embraced  a  complete  plan 
to  secure  work  for  rations,  and  this  vital  feature  was  being  constantly 
harped  upon  by  the  board. 

On  August  28  the  following  circular  letter  was  issued : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

OFFICE  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES, 

San  Juan,  August  28>  1899. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER, 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  suggest  the  following  as  some  of  the  many  ways,  which 
have  doubtless  occurred  to  you,  of  employing  the  indigent  able-bodied  men  of 
your  division. 

1.  Repairing  dwellings,  especially  huts  of  the  poor. 

2.  Cleaning  the  streets,  public  places,  and  yards,  and  removing  wastes  of  all 
kinds. 

3.  Repairing  gutters,  making  ditches  to  drain  stagnant  water  in  or  about  towns. 

4.  Building  stone  dikes  to  divert  the  overflow  of  rivers,  repairing  the  approaches 
to  fords. 

5.  Planting  trees  in  and  about  towns  and  on  the  public  highways,  etc. 

A  suitable  man  should  be  detailed  from  the  detachment  to  supervise  the  laborers, 
and  he  should  have  as  many  assistants  as  necessary  to  direct  the  assigned  work. 
Time  tickets  should  be  issued  or  some  other  plan  devised  by  which  those  who 
work  can  be  identified  and  given  food,  while  those  who  do  not  will  be  prevented 
from  getting  it.  The  whole  problem  is  of  the  utmost  importance  and  its  only 
solution  lies  in  discovering  the  most  effective  way  of  getting  a  due  amount  of 
work  for  a  given  amount  of  food. 

The  board  will  be  very  much  obliged  for  suggestions  covering  this  and  other 
points  in  its  work,  looking  to  an  improvement  in  the  service,  and  so  far  as  possible 
an  avoidance  of  pauperization  of  the  people. 

Perhaps  it  would  be  as  well  to  add  that  the  board  has  no  funds  except  for  food 
and  medicines,  and  will  be  happy  if  the  amount  collected  will  be  adequate  for 
those  purposes;  it  certainly  will  not  be  for  anything  additional. 


232       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF   PORTO    RICO. 

Medicines  when  received  here  will,  as  a  rule,  be  distributed  to  the  various  post 
hospitals,  upon  which  requisition  can  be  made  for  such  remedies  as  may  be 
actually  needed. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  the  Board. 

And  for  the  benefit  of  those  indigent,  who  saw  no  necessity  for  work- 
ing, of  which  there  were  many,  this  circular  was  issued  on  the  fol- 
lowing day : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  August  29,  1899. 

The  attention  of  the  able-bodied  is  called  to  the  fact  that  idleness  will  not  be 
tolerated  in  Porto  Rico. 

All  men  dependent  upon  the  wages  of  labor  for  a  livelihood  must  work  for 
wages  or  for  food;  and  if  any  such  man  refuse  to  labor,  his  name  will  be  reported 
to  the  inspector  of  his  division,  who  will  investigate  the  case  and,  if  the  facts  are 
found  to  be  as  alleged,  will  place  his  name  on  a  black  list  and  will  thereafter  per- 
mit no  food  to  be  issued  to  him  or  his  family  until  he  returns  to  work. 

GEO.  W.  DAVIS, 
Brigadier-General,  Commanding. 

In  too  many  cases  reliance  in  the  matter  of  work  for  food  was  nec- 
essarily placed  upon  the  local  authorities.  Results  were  never 
entirely  satisfactory,  and  the  board  was  in  constant  receipt  of  reports 
of  idleness  in  return  for  rations.  All  were  brought  to  the  attention 
of  the  division  inspector — usually  by  telegraph,  as  the  following 
illustrates : 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  September,  1899. 
The  COMMANDING  OFFICER,  Humacao,  P.  R. 

SIR:  Reported  that  no  work  is  being  done  in  Yabucoa,  and  able-bodied  men  in 
plenty  are  eating  relief  supplies.  Can  not  this  be  stopped? 

HOFF,  President. 

Several  reports  from  the  district  about  Ciales,  where  a  deplorable 
condition  of  vagrancy  was  reported,  elicited  the  following  letter  from 
the  board : 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  September  19,  1899. 
The  COMMANDING  OFFICER,  Manati,  P.  R. 

SIR:  Various  reports  which  have  reached  this  office  indicate  that  no  work  is 
being  done  at  Ciales  and  Morovis  in  return  for  food  given  through  this  board. 
Should  this  be  so,  it  is  contrary  to  the  order  of  the  department  commander  and 
regulations  of  this  board.  Will  you  look  into  this  matter  and  so  instruct  your 
noncommissioned  officers  at  these  points  that  they  will  understand  exactly  what 
they  are  required  to  do  and  what  they  must  demand  of  the  people?  All  orders 
from  these  headquarters  and  circulars  from  this  board  relating  to  the  relief  work 
have  been  sent  you,  and  it  is  hoped  that  you  will  require  work  of  all  the  able- 
bodied  men  to  whom  you  give  food.  This  is  a  vital  point  and  if  not  insisted  upon 
will  result  disastrously  to  Porto  Rico. 

As  you  saw  by  the  circular  sent  yesterday,  we  are  considering  the  planters  as 
well  as  the  peons,  but  the  success  of  this  plan  depends  upon  the  closest  inspection 
and  requires  our  intelligent  enlisted  men  to  be  on  the  lookout  all  the  time. 
Would  it  not  be  well  for  you  to  select  a  number  of  your  brightest  men.  divide  up 
your  division  into  inspection  districts,  and  keep  these  men  on  the  go  all  the  time 
as  inspectors?  This  is  true  soldier  duty,  as  nothing  will  serve  so  well  to  keep  the 
peace. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

Especially  to  observe  the  extent  of  the  cooperation  in  this  matter, 
two  civilian  inspectors  were  earl y  appointed,  who  visited  all  districts 
and  reported  directly  to  the  board. 

The  board  realized  that  the  noncommissioned  officers  and  privates 
at  the  ultimate  distribution  depots  could  in  a  large  measure  enforce 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   233 

this  regulation.  In  fact,  so  much  depended  upon  their  efficient  serv- 
ice, and  reports  having  reached  the  board  that  indicated  an  insuffi- 
cient appreciation  of  their  responsibilities,  that  the  following  printed 
instructions  were  issued  September  20: 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. ,  September  20,  1899. 

Instructions  to  noncommissioned  officers  in  charge  of  subposts  of  the  board  of 

charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

First.  Food  is  issued  to  prevent  starvation.  It  is  intended  for  the  worthy  poor, 
and  no  able-bodied  man  shall  receive  any  unless  he  gives  a  full  day's  work  in 
return. 

Second.  A  day's  ration  consists  of  1  pound  of  food.  For  convenience,  food  will 
generally  be  issued  weekly.  Three  pounds  of  rice,  3  pounds  of  beans,  and  1  pound 
of  codfish  or  bacon  constitutes  the  usual  allowance  for  one  person  for  one  week. 
The  regulation  tin  cup  holds  about  1^  pounds. 

Third.  A  receipt  and  issue  book  must  be  kept  at  each  depot,  in  which  will  be 
entered  in  detail  all  the  material  received  and  all  rations  issued. 

Fourth.  The  local  board  of  charities  will  furnish  the  noncommissioned  officers 
in  charge  with  an  alphabetical  list  of  the  indigents  in  each  barrio  to  whom  issues 
will  be  made  on  a  specific  day  in  the  presence  of  the  commissario  of  that  barrio. 

Fifth.  Issue  will  be  made  on  ration  request  signed  by  the  chairman  of  the  local 
board  of  charities,  and  the  exact  amount  given  will  be  noted  on  the  request.  After 
the  first  week  the  request  must  be  accompanied  by  six  checks  or  certificates  from 
the  barrio  committee  of  absence  or  sickness  for  each  able-bodied  man  mentioned 
on  the  request.  Without  these  checks  or  certificates  no  rations  will  be  issued. 

Sixth.  No  food  will  be  issued  on  a  request  if  the  noncommissioned  officer  in 
charge  has  reason  to  believe  that  the  applicant  is  unworthy,  and  the  request  will 
be  taken  up. 

Seventh.  Noncommissioned  officers  on  this  duty  will  take  pains  to  inform  them- 
selves upon  the  conditions  of  the  poor  in  their  district,  will  see  that  the  boards  of 
charities  and  the  barrio  committees  perform  their  duty,  and  will  at  once  report  to 
their  immediate  commanders  any  irregularities  observed. 

Eighth.  They  will  observe  the  organization  and  work  of  the  indigent  laborers 
and  refuse  food  to  those  who  fail  to  work,  reporting  such  cases  to  the  alcaldes 
and  their  immediate  commanders,  who  will  cause  such  to  be  arrested  and  to  work 
under  guard. 

Ninth.  They  will  at  once  cause  the  arrest  of  anyone  who  misapplies  the  supplies 
furnished  by  this  board  under  General  Orders.  No.  124,  Headquarters  Department 
of  Porto  Rico,  dated  August  19,  1899,  and  report  the  fact  to  higher  authority. 

Tenth.  They  will  submit  to  their  immediate  commander  a  weekly  report  on 
blanks  furnished  by  this  board  and  will  sign  receipts  and  account  for  all  property 
received  by  them. 

Eleventh.  Noncommissioned  officers  and  privates  on  relief  duty  are  officials  of 
this  board.  They  are  in  no  sense  under  the  control  of  the  municipal  authorities 
and  in  the  performance  of  their  duties  will  take  no  orders  from  them.  They  will 
watch  over  the  interest  of  the  board  in  every  way  and  will  carry  out  to  the  best 
of  their  ability  its  rule  of  action,  which  is  that:  "  No  person  shall  die  of  starvation 
and  no  able-bodied  man  shall  eat  the  bread  of  idleness." 

By  order  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

President  of  Board. 

The  shattered  condition  of  the  island  early  impressed  the  board 
with  the  fact  that  issues  would  necessarily  have  to  be  continued  much 
longer  than  the  originally  intended  three  months.  Notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  all  inspectors,  all  depot  commanders,  and  all  others  con- 
nected intimately  with  the  distribution  realized  that  the  earliest 
possible  cessation  was  absolutely  essential,  it  was  generally  agreed 
by  those  best  enabled  to  judge  that  the  continuance  of  food  issues  would 
be  necessary  until  the  time  that  the  actual  suspension  was  consum- 
mated, more  than  six  months  after  the  originally  estimated  period. 

As  noted  above,  the  board  relied  upon  the  men  on  the  ground,  who 


234       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    POETO    EICO. 

were  best  able  to  judge,  and  whose  recommendations  were  accepted 
as  final  on  questions  relating  to  their  own  divisions. 

The  chief  consideration  in  this  connection  was  the  time  when  new 
crops  of  fruits  and  vegetables  could  be  expected.  Reports  were  abso- 
lutely misleading  and  contradictory.  No  one  seemed  to  be  positive 
when  another  was  due.  The  ignorance  on  this  point  was  remarkable. 
It  was  found  to  be  very  difficult  to  induce  the  peons  to  plant,  and  this 
was  never  accomplished  to  a  very  great  extent.  What  should  have 
been  used  for  this  purpose  was  instead  consumed  as  the  only  available 
food. 

A  food  supply  had  to  be  grown  before  issues  could  cease,  and  on 
August  24  the  following  circular  letter  was  sent  to  the  commanding 
officers  on  this  point: 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  request  that  you  will  instruct  your  subpost  command- 
ers and  all  alcaldes  and  boards  of  charities  in  your  division  to  see  that  all  vege- 
tables issued  in  your  division  which  are  suitable  for  this  purpose  are  used  as  seed 
and  at  once  planted.  The  importance  of  this  is  emphasized  when  it  is  realized 
that  only  through  a  new  crop  can  these  people  become  self-supporting  in  the  near 
future,  and  there  can  be  no  crop  without  planting. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

And  the  matter  was  further  emphasized  by  the  letter  of  Septem- 
ber 6: 
COMMANDING  OFFICER, 


SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  invite  special  attention  to  the  recommendation  recently 
sent  you  in  regard  to  the  necessity  for  an  immediate  replanting  for  a  new  crop. 
Should  you  find  any  scarcity  of  seed,  such  as  native  rice,  beans,  corn,  etc.,  in  the 
hands  of  the  people  for  this  purpose,  you  are  authorized  to  purchase  them  in  small 
quantities  from  the  local  dealers,  for  seeding,  taking  care  that  they  are  used  for 
no  other  purpose. 

Bills  for  material  purchased  for  seeding  will  be  sent  to  this  board,  in  duplicate, 
with  vouchers  receipted. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

The  board  was  led  to  believe  that  three  months  would  see  a  suffi- 
ciently advanced  crop  to  enable  issues  to  cease.  To  effect  this  by  the 
end  of  December  the  circular  letter  of  November  16  was  directed  to 
the  various  commanding  officers: 

DIVISION  INSPECTOR, 

SIR:  Referring  to  the  issue  of  rations  to  needy  proprietors,  you  are  respectfully 
informed  that  such  rations  are  to  be  issued  only  for  one  week  at  a  time,  and  that 
no  back  rations  will  be  issued.  This  board  does  not  intend  to  continue  the  issue 
of  rations  after  the  31st  of  December,  1899,  and  desires  to  materially  reduce  the 
issue  of  relief  supplies  after  December  1 ,  1899. 

By  direction  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF,  President.  $ 

This  was  followed  by  such  reports  of  distress  and  absolute  absence 
of  other  food  supply  that  definite  information  was  sought  by  commu- 
nicating as  follows : 

DIVISION  INSPECTOR, 

SIR:  Reports  have  reached  this  board  that  in  certain  districts  of  the  island  it 
will  be  necessary  to  continue  the  distribution  of  relief  supplies  after  the  31st 
instant. 

Please  notify  me  if  there  will  be  any  such  necessity  in  your  division. 

By  direction  of  the  board. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF.  President. 


EEPOET  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   235 

The  existing  conditions  in  the  several  divisions  were  clearly  given 
in  reports  by  inspectors.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  a  continuance  in 
the  coffee  region  was  shown  to  be  absolutely  necessary.  The  same 
condition  faced  the  board  a  month  later,  and  hopes  of  discontin- 
uance in  January  were  abandoned.  It  was  thereafter  merely  a  ques- 
tion of  waiting  for  a  new  crop  of  plantains  and  bananas.  No  prospect 
of  its  advent  was  apparent  in  February,  when  the  following  notifica- 
tion was  issued : 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R. ,  February  SI,  1899. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER,  SAN  JUAN,  P.  R. 

SIR:  In  view  of  the  report  that  much  distress  and  shortage  of  food  yet  exist  at 
various  points  in  the  island,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  issue  of  food 
will  continue  through  the  month  of  March  to  such  persons  and  in  such  amount  as 
you  may  deem  necessary. 

Very  respectfully',  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  V.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

By  the  end  of  March  it  was  fully  realized  that  issues  could  not  cease 
until  the  long  delayed  crop  of  plantains  and  bananas  had  ripened, 
which  would  be  in  the  latter  part  of  June  or  early  in  July.  With 
this  end  in  view,  the  following  letter  was  sent: 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 
OFFICE  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  April  17,  1899. 
The  OFFICER  IN  CHARGE  OF  THE  GENERAL  SUPPLY  DEPOT, 

Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  1  have  the  honor  to  state  that  the  following  is  the  estimated  weekly  require- 
ments of  food  distribution  until  June  1 ,  when  it  is  hoped  that  issues  to  planters 
may  be  brought  to  a  close: 


Pounds. 

San  Juan 50,000 

Bayamon 100, 000 

Mayaguez 113,000 

Ponce 100, 000 

Manati  70,000 


Pounds. 

Arecibo. 100,000 

Aibonito 70,000 

Otherplaces 50,000 

Total..  .  653,000 


After  that  date  it  is  believed  that  the  distribution  of  100  tons  weekly  will  feed 
the  chronic  poor  until  June  30.  when  we  hope  to  finish  the  relief  work  in  this  form. 
You  will  please  arrange  your  shipping  plans  accordingly.  fmH/H 
By  direction  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF,  President. 

As  the  month  of  May  passed  the  plan  to  be  followed  in  closing 
became  clearly  defined,  and  the  loth  of  June  was  set  as  the  date  for 
the  last  issue  to  planters.  Thereafter  issues  were  to  be  made  only  to 
the  local  boards  for  their  chronic  poor,  sick,  and  infirm.  The  course 
of  procedure  is  well  explained  in  the  following  letter  to  the  command- 
ing officer,  Mayaguez: 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

OFFICE  OF  PORTO  Rico  RELIEF, 

San  Juan,  June  5,  1900. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER,  Mayaguez,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  yours  of  1st  instant,  which  I  at 
once  answered  by  telegraph,  as  follows:  "Am  sending  you  about  200,000  pounds 
as  final  shipment  for  both  your  divisions  (Mayaguez  and  San  German).  If  Maya- 
guez requires  more  food  now  it  will  get  less  later.  Please  use  your  own  judgment 
as  to  amounts  and  notify  this  office."  As  you  know,  we  propose  to  stop  all  issues 
to  planters  by  the  15th  instant.  To  meet  these  issues  I  am  assured  that  there  is 
now  sufficient  food  at  the  various  depots.  We  have  in  depot  here  600  tons,  which 
will  be  divided  according  to  needy  population,  and  of  which  you  will  get,  say,  100 
tons  for  your  eight  municipalities.  This  should  last  until  about  the  middle  of 


236       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

next  month,  when  all  of  the  native  food  the  people  have  ever  had  will  be  ripe.    If 
the  island  can  not  then  take  care  of  its  own  people,  when  will  it  ever  be  able  to  do  so? 
Trusting  that  you  are  not  too  weary  in  well  doing,  I  remain, 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major,  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  in  Charge  of  Porto  Rican  Relief. 

On  the  20th  of  June  a  letter  was  forwarded  to  Washington  asking 
authority  to  cease  on  the  loth  of  July.  The  recommendation  was 
approved,  according  to  the  following  cablegram,  which  caused  all 
issues  to  cease  on  that  date : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

OFFICE  OF  PORTO  Rico  RELIEF, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  June  22,  WOO. 

The  following  is  published  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  all  concerned  in 
the  relief  work: 

[Cablegram.] 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  June  22, 1900. 
COMMANDING  GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico: 

Secretary  of  War  approves  recommendation  your  letter  June  2,  1900.  You  will 
cease  distribution  of  rations  in  Porto  Rico  on  the  15th  of  July.  Give  as  early 
notice  as  possible  of  this  intention,  so  that  all  citizens  may  understand  the  neces- 
sity of  making  other  arrangements.  Communicate  this  dispatch  to  Governor 
Allen  promptly. 
By  command  of  Secretary  of  War. 

CORBIN,  Adjutant- General. 
Official  copy. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  in  Charge  of  Relief. 

Any  supplies  remaining  on  hand  at  the  different  depots  on  the  loth 
of  July  were  divided  proportionately  among  the  local  boards  of  char- 
ities in  the  respective  divisions,  to  be  disposed  of  as  seemed  to  them 
best. 

Several  of  the  divisions  were  closed  before  this  date.  Although  the 
board  was  .most  desirous  of  bringing  the  issues  to  an  end,  it  relied 
in  large  degree  upon  the  division  inspectors  for  the  final  decision. 
When  their  definite  recommendations  to  this  effect  were  received  they 
were,  as  a  rule,  forwarded  to  the  Adjutant-General,  with  the  board's 
concurrence  therein,  and  a  military  order  suspending  the  distribution 
was  issued. 

The  board  was  in  receipt  of  several  thousand  dollars,  contributed 
for  the  relief  of  the  suffering.  It  was  customary  to  at  once  acknowl- 
edge, with  thanks,  these  donations,  and  immediately  deposit  them  as  a 
special  fund,  which  was  only  drawn  on  with  the  approval  of  the  board. 
The  accounts  of  receipts  and  disbursements  elsewhere  given  show  its 
disposition.  The  strictest  possible  methods  were  in  force  with  regard 
to  its  being  properly  accounted  for.  As  noted  above,  it  was  paid  out 
only  on  approval  of  the  board  and  upon  vouchers  receipted  in  dupli- 
cate, and  certified  to  by  the  division  inspector.  Checks  on  this  fund 
were  signed  by  the  disbursing  officer  and  countersigned  by  the  presi- 
dent. The  fund  proved  invaluable.  It  made  possible  the  assistance 
of  professional  and  expert  services,  it  purchased  much-needed  medi- 
cines and  dressings,  and  the  systematic  and  judicious  handling  of  the 
business  was  largely  dependent  upon  it. 

As  the  relief  work  drew  to  a  close  and  disbursements  from  this  fund 
became  no  longer  necessary,  it  was  realized  that,  as  a  conclusion  to  this 
branch  of  the  work,  a  thorough  audit  should  be  made  of  all  the  accounts 
pertaining  thereto,  and  a  final  report  thereon  submitted.  To  this  end 


REPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        237 

the  following  letter  was  addressed  to  the  Adjutant-General  of  the 
Department :  v 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

OFFICE  PORTO  Rico  RELIEF, 

San  Juan,  June  15,  1900. 
The  ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  As  the  public  relief  work  in  Porto  Rico  under  military  control  is  drawing 
to  a  close,  I  have  the  honor  to  suggest  that  an  officer  be  detailed  to  audit  all  the 
accounts  pertaining  to  the  work  which  come  under  the  supervision  of  the  depart- 
ment cominaTider.  It  is  requested  that  every  detail  of  the  work  be  examined  into 
and  a  report  thereon  made. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  in  Charge  of  Relief. 

An  officer  was  detailed  as  requested,  and  a  complete  audit  is  now  in 
progress.  (See  p.  196.) 

On  the  9th  of  August,  1899,  a  letter  was  forwarded  to  each  alcalde, 
asking  that  three  charitable  men  be  appointed  in  each  municipality 
to  act  as  a  local  board  of  charities.  A  universal  compliance  followed, 
and  thereafter  these  boards  were  in  close  touch  with  the  central 
organization.  The  responsibility  of  investigating  cases  of  indigency 
and  issuing  ration  requests  rested  with  them.  Our  methods  were  not 
always  compatible  with  their  ideas,  as  evidenced  by  the  frequent 
changes  in  their  membership.  The  original  appointment  and  every 
change  required  the  approval  of  this  board,  whereupon  an  official 
appointment  was  forwarded  through  the  division  inspectors  to  the 
interested  persons.  Resignations  were  frequent.  Perhaps  too  much 
was  required,  according  to  their  ideas  on  the  subject.  They  resented 
our  methods  of  accuracy,  personal  accountability,  and  inspections 
when  applied  to  themselves.  In  many  cases  they  were  earnest,  in- 
telligent men,  who  lent  their  best  efforts  to  the  work,  and  this  board 
was  in  constant  correspondence  with  them,  encouraging,  instructing, 
and  urging  them.  It  was  not  until  April,  1900,  that  a  general  order 
made  these  bodies  part  of  the  local  governments. 

The  following  letter  of  instruction  was,  on  April  14,  1900,  promul- 
gated by  this  board : 

CIRCULAR. 

The  MUNICIPAL  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES, 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  attention  is  invited  to  General  Orders,  74,  current  series,  from 
these  headquarters,  which  permanently  organizes  the  municipal  boards  of  chari- 
ties and  makes  them  part  of  the  local  government. 

The  functions  of  the  board  are  set  forth  in  a  general  way  in  the  aforesaid  order, 
but  at  this  moment  the  most  important  function  you  have  to  perform  is  to  look 
after  the  sick,  the  infirm,  the  chronic  poor,  who  are  always  with  us,  are  always  a 
public  charge,  and  who  at  this  moment  are  even  greater  sufferers  because  of  the 
distressful  condition  of  the  entire  population. 

This  board  desires  to  place  in  your  hands  for  distribution  a  sufficient  amount  of 
food  to  feed  the  sick  and  infirm,  and  requests  you  to  make  it  your  duty  to  see  that 
none  others  receive  it.  The  plan  of  distribution  of  food  through  the  planters  and 
work  on  the  public  roads,  it  is  believed,  will  supply  subsistence  for  all  others. 
The  board  therefore  requests  that  you  will  at  once  perfect  your  organization  to 
assist  the  chronic  .indigent,  giving  special  attention  to  the  promotion  of  barrio 
committees,  which  should  come  into  direct  contact  with  the  individual  poor,  and 
upon  the  recommendation  of  which  you  will  largely  have  to  depend  in  making 
issues.  Your  attention  is  invited  to  paragraph  2,  General  Orders,  No.  124, 1899,  as 
follows: 

"II.  Any  person  who  misapplies  any  material  furnished  for  the  relief  of  the 
destitute  by  fraudulently  obtaining  or  by  selling  or  otherwise  disposing  of  the 
same  will  be  punished  by  a  fine  not  exceeding  $500  for  each  offense  or  by  imprison- 
ment for  a  period  not  exceeding  one  year. " 


238       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    POETO    EICO. 

It  is  the  especial  desire  of  the  military  governor  that  the  sick  poor  of  your  munici- 
pality should  be  properly  attended  to,  and  he  has  directed  this  board  to  make  an 
allotment  of  funds  for  the  repair,  furnishing,  and  maintenance  of  such  municipal 
hospitals  as  are  particularly  in  need  of  such  assistance.  The  rule  laid  down  is 
that  this  board  will  assist  those  who  are  willing  to  assist  themselves  to  the  full 
extent  of  their  ability.  Nothing  will  be  contributed  by  the  Government  unless 
the  municipality  gives  something — money,  material,  or  labor,  or  all  of  these. 
You  are  therefore  earnestly  requested  to  at  once  submit  to  this  board  a  report  of 
the  requirements  of  your  hospital  and  what  your  municipality  has  done  and  will 
do  to  meet  them. 

Porto  Rico,  during  the  last  eight  trying  months,  has  amply  demonstrated  to  her 
people  the  necessity  for  an  intelligently  organized  State  and  municipal  charity. 

To-day  we  all  far  better  understand  what  such  organization  means  than  we  did 
on  August  9  last,  when  the  first  board  of  charities  was  organized  in  this  island. 
We  have  learned  through  trying  experience  the  necessity  for  careful  investigation 
of  alleged  indigency  and  honest  supervision  of  the  distribution  of  the  means  of 
relief.  We  have  seen  that  injudicious  charity  may  be  a  curse  as  much  as  j  udicipus 
charity  is  a  blessing  to  the  recipient,  and  we  know  now  that  public  charity  is  a 
public  trust,  which  must  be  faithfully  administered  to  obtain  the  best  results. 

This  board  asks  your  hearty,  well-considered,  and  unbiased  cooperation  in 
charity  work.  It  asks  that  as  Porto  Ricans  you  will  think  of  your  country  as  a 
whole  and  all  Porto  Ricans  as  fellow-countrymen,  mayhap  in  need;  that  you  will 
extend  to  the  needy  a  helping  hand  because  they  are  Porto  Ricans  and  not  because 
they  come  from  the  east  or  west  or  the  north  or  the  south;  not  because  they  belong 
to  this  political  faction  or  that,  but  solely  because  they  are  your  brothers  and  are 
in  need. 

By  direction  of  the  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico: 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President. 

These  local  organizations  now  remain  the  only  instrumentalities  in 
the  municipalities  by  which  the  civil  government  can  carry  out  any 
general  relief  work. 

The  board  devised  a  complete  system  of  invoices  and  receipts  for 
all  supplies  and  instituted  a  system  of  reports,  returns,  and  vouchers 
by  which  it  is  now  enabled  to  account  for  approximately  every  pound 
of  food  issued.  The  division  inspector  receipted  to  the  officer  in  charge 
of  the  general  supply  depot  for  relief  supplies  received,  and  in  turn 
transferred  his  accountability  to  the  subdepots,  where  the  food  was 
finally  distributed,  and  the  men  in  charge  of  which  held  as  their 
vouchers  the  "requests"  or  "orders"  upon  which  their  issues  were 
made.  Upon  the  closing  of  any  division  or  the  transfer  of  its  com- 
manding officer  a  return  was  required  which  gave  a  complete  account 
of  all  receipts  and  issues,  with  the  necessary  vouchers  accompanying. 

Besides  routine  and  expected  administration  work  pertaining  to  the 
various  above-mentioned  branches,  there  were  daily  occurrences  for 
special  consideration.  The  board  was  constantly  investigating  reports 
of  frauds,  political  schemes  of  advancement  by  means  of  relief  stores, 
statements  of  unfairness  in  distribution,  and  reports  of  every  nature. 

In  addition  to  the  relief  work,  which  of  course  received  by  far  the 
greater  amount  of  time  and  attention,  the  board  was  called  upon  to 
administer  the  business  connected  with  the  running  of  an  insane  asy- 
lum, leper  colony,  and  male  and  female  charity  schools.  This  implies 
a  more  or  less  complete  reorganization  of  all  departments  of  these 
institutions,  the  inauguration  of  repairs,  the  installation  of  educa- 
tional and  business  reforms,  the  preparation  of  reports  and  returns, 
and  the  disbursement  of  five  or  six  thousand  dollars  monthly  in  their 
behalf.  This  disbursement  necessitated  a  system  of  vouchers  and 
bank  accounts,  a  purchasing  department,  more  or  less  extensive  cor- 
respondence, supervision  of  admissions,  discharges,  and  all  the  minor 
details  which  accompanj^  the  care  of  institutions,  including  the  feed- 
ing, housing,  clothing,  and  instructing  of  the  diverse  elements  therein 
living. 


REPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        239 

DISTRIBUTION  OF   SUPPLIES. 
REPORT   OF   OFFICER  IN   CHARGE   OF   GENERAL   SUPPLY   DEPOT. 

The  question  of  distribution,  as  has  been  frequently  noted,  was  one 
of  the  most  difficult  that  confronted  the  board.  The  following  report 
of  Major  Cruse,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  supply  depot  during  the 
relief  work,  gives  a  concise  account  of  the  manner  in  which  this 
branch  was  managed  at  the  general  supply  depot,  San  Juan;  also  a 
summary  of  the  receipts  and  issues  of  supplies  and  an  account  of  the 
expense  thereto  attached : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

QUARTERMASTER'S  OFFICE, 

San  Juan,  July  18,  1900. 
Maj.  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Medical  Department ,  U.  S.A., 

President  Board  of  Porto  Rican  Relief,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  herewith  a  detailed  summary  of  the  operations 
of  the  relief  supply  depot  at  this  point  from  August  16,  1899,  to  June  30, 1900. 
The  great  hurricane,  which  caused  so  much  devastation  and  loss  of  life  on  this 
island,  occurred  on  August  8, 1899.  On  August  16,  1899, 1  was  detailed  by  General 
Order  No.  120,  headquarter's  department  of  Porto  Rico,  to  take  charge  of  a  gen- 
eral depot  of  relief  supplies  that  was  to  be  established  at  this  point,  where  it  was 
intended  that  all  supplies  intended  for  the  relief  of  the  stricken  people  should  be 
received,  sorted  over  if  necessary,  repacked,  and  then  distributed  properly  in 
accordance  with  the  needs  of  the  'people  at  the  various  points  on  the  island  and 
as  directed  by  the  Central  Board  of  Charities.  On  the  same  day,  at  my  request, 
Commissary  Sergeant  Adams  was  assigned  to  me  as  my  assistant.  As  the  neces- 
sity for  immediate  relief  was  urgent,  negotiations  were  entered  into  by  which  Col. 
F.  E.  Nye,  chief  commissary  of  the  department,  turned  over  to  me  all  of  the  rice, 
beans,  and  corned  beef  that  could  be  spared  and  the  distribution  commenced  on 
that  date  and  has  gone  on  steadily  until  the  present  time. 

At  the  time  of  starting  in  this  work  many  discouraging  facts  presented  them- 
selves, which  showed  that  the  work  was  to  be  a  very  exhausting  one.  In  the 
first  place,  in  addition  to  doing  great  damage  to  houses,  crops,  etc. ,  the  storm 
had  been  especially  destructive  to  all  large  bridges  in  the  country,  and  the  mili- 
tary road,  at  a  great  many  points,  was  filled  in  with  debris,  caused  by  washouts 
and  landslides;  the  ordinary  country  roads  obliterated;  the  railroads  of  the  coun- 
try were  entirely  gone  for  miles;  all  railroad  bridges  over  large  rivers  were  gone, 
and  the  shipping  was  badly  demoralized;  then,  too,  during  the  whole  month  of 
August,  the  weather  on  the  sea  was  very  stormy,  and  sailors,  fearing  another 
storm  like  the  great  hurricane,  did  not  want  to  take  cargoes,  so  that  it  was  prac- 
tically impossible  to  hire  coasting  schooners. 

As  for  the  depot  itself,  it  existed  only  on  paper,  and,  as  it  had  no  warehouse 
and  the  shed  at  the  dock  was  small  and  open,  storage  facilities  were  very  inade- 
quate. This  state  of  affairs,  however,  was  soon  remedied,  a  large  new  shed  being 
built  between  September  1  and  25,  by  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  and 
the  storehouse  known  as  No.  16  was  built  and  turned  over  by  the  middle  of  Octo- 
ber, 1899.  This  latter  building  (photograph  herewith)  was  used  as  an  office  and 
storehouse  for  clothing  and  perishable  articles. 

To  distribute  the  supplies  around  the  island  I  had  the  U.  S.  tug  Slocum  and 
two  barges.  The  Slocum  herself,  however,  had  been  out  in  the  great  storm  and 
was  damaged  to  such  an  extent  that  our  first  official  act  after  her  arrival  at  this 
port  was  to  send  her  to  the  island  of  St.  Thomas  to  be  overhauled  and  put  in  con- 
dition; so  she  went  to  St.  Thomas  for  this  purpose  on  the  16th  day  of  August, 
1899.  In  the  meantime  the  Borinquen,  a  small  harbor  boat,  able  to  carry  about 
60  tons,  was,  by  order  of  the  department  commander,  placed  at  our  disposal. 

I  take  occasion  to  say  right  here  that  her  captain  and  crew  did  some  of  the 
hardest  and  most  dangerous  work  that  was  done  during  the  year,  and  landed  sup- 
plies in  stormy  weather  and  under  most  difficult  circumstances  atManati,  Arecibo, 
and  other  points  of  the  island.  The  Borinquen,  during  the  month  of  October,  was 
also  found  to  be  badly  in  need  of  repairs  and  permission  was  obtained  and  she 
was  sent  to  the  island  of  St.  Thomas  for  this  purpose.  In  the  meantime  Maj. 
John  L.  Clem,  chief  quartermaster  of  the  department  of  Porto  Rico,  had  placed 


240       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

at  my  disposal  all  the  wagons  that  were  available,  about  40.  This  number  was 
found  totally  inadequate  to  the  demands  and  later  on  I  was  given  60  wagons. 
These  also  were  found  not  to  be  equal  to  the  work  required  of  them,  as  supplies 
had  to  be  sent  every  week  to  Aibonito,  Cayey,  (Jidra.  Hato  Grande,  Carolina, 
Caguas,  and  other  points.  This  number  was  increased  at  one  time  to  75  wagons 
and  they  were  kept  busy  going  all  the  time.  In  the  beginning,  when  the  roads 
were  in  such  a  miserable  condition  and  the  bridges  were  all  washed  out,  these 
wagon  trains  had  many  mishaps  in  delivering  their  loads,  but  in  no  instance  was 
the  loss  very  great,  nor  in  any  instance  did  we  lose  an  entire  load.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  people  of  the  United  State  had  responded  generously  to  the  appeals  made 
to  them,  and  supplies  of  all  sorts  were  beingrapidly  for  warded  to  the  island,  and  at 
one  time  during  the  month  of  September  it  looked  as  if  we  would  be  swamped  with 
the  large  amount  of  these  supplies;  however,  the  wagon  trains  were  kept  busy  on 
the  roads,  which  were  now,  to  some  extent,  passable,  and  the  Slocum  and  the  Borin- 
quen  were  not  allowed,  under  any  conditions,  to  stay  in  port  more  than  sufficient 
time  to  get  a  new  load  and  start  for  a  new  destination,  so  that  the  supplies  reached 
the  persons  and  the  points  where  they  were  needed  before  any  deaths  resulted 
from  actual  outright  starvation,  so  far  as  known.  Anyway,  all  requisitions  for 
supplies  were  promptly  filled. 

On  the  8th  day  of  September  occurred  the  second  storm,  which,  so  far  as  San 
Juan  itself  was  concerned,  caused  more  damage  and  greater  fright  than  the  storm 
of  August  8,  and  put  the  sea  in  such  a  condition  that  it  was  practically  impossible 
to  do  anything  or  send  the  ships  out  for  about  a  week.  The  Burnside^  which  had 
left  New  York  two  or  three  days  before  this,  caught  the  full  fury  of  this  storm 
and  had  to  lay  to  for  three  or  four  days,  and  as  she  was  heavily  loaded  with  relief 
supplies  she  reached  here  with  these  supplies  in  very  poor  condition.  I  make 
mention  especially  of  this  because  it  was  the  only  one  that  occurred  in  the  receipt 
and  distribution  of  these  supplies  where  there  was  any  such  loss.  All  this  in  spite 
of  the  most  contrary  conditions  and  weather. 

On  November  30,  1899,  the  work  had  become  so  systematized  and  was  going  on 
so  well  that  the  Borinquen  was  discharged.  On  November  19,  1899,  in  the  midst 
of  a  squall,  the  Slocum  went  aground  on  a  reef  in  Fajardo  Harbor,  and  for  twenty- 
four  hours  it  seemed  as  if  she  would  be  a  loss  altogether,  but  she  succeeded  in 
getting  off  on  the  21st  of  November,  and  was  then  sent  to  St.  Thomas,  where 
repairs  were  made,  and  she  returned  to  work  on  December  27, 1899.  In  the  mean- 
time the  IL  S.  naval  tug  Uncas  was  loaned  to  us  by  the  Navy  Department,  and 
made  several  trips,  which  were  of  the  greatest  assistance  at  this  particular  juncture. 
On  January  12, 1900,  the  French  railway  succeeded  in  building  a  bridge  across  the 
Manati  River,  and,  much  to  my  delight,  we  were  enabled  to  ship  supplies  direct 
to  Arecibo.  which,  being  as  it  was,  the  headquarters  for  issue  to  some  of  our  most 
dangerous  districts— Utuado  and  vicinity — was  a  source  of  gratification  to  me  at 
least.  So  far  as  the  railroad  is  concerned,  it  did  very  good  work  until  about  May 
20,  1900,  when  this  temporary  bridge  over  the  river  at  Manati  was  again  washed 
out  and  has  not  yet  been  repaired,  and  I  do  not  know  when  it  will  be.  Fortu- 
nately we  have  had  very  little  supplies  to  ship  to  Arecibo. 

Very  soon  after  the  beginning  of  the  distribution  of  this  food  a  series  of  returns, 
receipts,  invoices,  and  other  necessary  papers  were  gotten  up  by  the  board  of  char- 
ities, and  I  say  here  I  have  never  seen  anything  better  adapted  for  the  kind  of 
work.  The  time  when  the  demand  was  the  greatest  for  supplies  and  when  the 
greater  part  of  them  were  coming  in  a  semiweekly  report  was  required  of  every- 
thing on  hand  at  the  depot  and  everything  issued.  These  reports  are  rendered  at 
3  p.  m.  every  Wednesday  and  at  4  p.  m.  every  Saturday.  Later  on  the  distribu- 
tion slacked  up  somewhat,  and  these  reports  were  rendered  weekly.  By  means  of 
these  the  board  of  charities  could  tell  at  any  time  what  it  had  distributed  and 
where  the  articles  came  from. 

I  submit  herewith  detailed  statement  showing  each  and  every  article  received 
and  the  total  amount  of  food  supplies  received,  commencing  with  August  16, 1899, 
and  ending  May  26,  1900,  when  the  last  shipment  came  from  the  United  States. 
This  shows  a  grand  total  of  32,000,000  pounds  of  food  supplies  received  and  a  larger 
amount  distributed.  In  addition  to  the  food  stuffs,  large  quantities  of  clothing, 
hardware,  and  other  articles  were  received.  After  a  careful  auditing  of  accounts, 
I  am  very  glad  to  state  that  my  receipts  show  that  all  the  food  supplies  have  been 
distributed,  and  that  these  totals  agree  practically!  In  the  beginning  it  was  very 
hard  indeed  to  get  the  weights  of  the  articles  sent,  or  even  to  get  the  contents  of 
packages,  as  in  many  instances  they  had  been  donated  by  charitably  disposed  per- 
sons, and  put  aboard  the  boat  and  manifested  as  so  many  articles,  or  so  many  sacks 
of  rice,  beans,  or  flour,  and  not  stating  whether  these  sacks  contained  50  pounds, 
100  pounds,  or  200  pounds. 


EEPOET  OF  THE  BOAKD  OF  CHAKITIES  OF  POKTO  RICO.   241 

In  the  first  distribution  the  articles  were  distributed  according  to  the  same 
method,  namely,  by  packages  irrespective  of  weight.  Later  on,  however,  every- 
thing was  taken  up  on  a  return  and  distributed  by  weight.  Appendixes  B  and  C, 
which  are  abstracts  of  articles  received  and  issued,  do  not  agree  exactly,  for  the 
reason  that  on  the  abstract  of  articles  received  the  articles  were  taken  sometimes 
from  the  ship's  manifest;  at  others,  from  the  marks  on  the  boxes  or  barrels,  and 
both  of  these  designations  would  turn  out  to  be  wrong  when  opportunity  came 
for  examination  prior  to  issue.  For  example,  a  flour  barrel,  taken  up  as  flour  on 
abstract  of  articles  received,  having  been  marked  and  carried  on  as  such  prior 
to  issue,  might,  when  carefully  checked,  be  found  to  contain  either  hominy,  corn 
meal,  or  rice.  It  was  then  issued  exactly  as  was  right,  no  matter  if  it  had  been 
listed  wrongly  in  the  first  place.  These  errors  were  corrected  at  the  time  as  far 
as  practicable,  but  there  are  many  cases  in  which  the  real  contents  of  boxes  or 
barrels  was  not  known  until  finally  issued  at  a  distributing  point.  But  the  total 
number  of  packages  will  be  found  to  check  out  exactly.  One  point  to  be  noticed 
is  the  large  amount  of  material  taken  up  at  various  times  as  "  found  at  depot." 
The  surplusage  arose  from  many  causes— lack  of  proper  manifests  giving  weights; 
errors  in  shipment,  and,  in  one  instance,  taking  kilograms  for  pounds.  All  the 
material  found  upon  taking  inventory  was  religiously  taken  up  at  the  proper 
time,  and  to  the  proper  credit  it  finally  appeared  when  this  inventory  was  taken. 
Hence  I  can  truthfully  say  that  every  pound  of  every  article  was  taken  up  and 
accounted  for  and  just  as  carefully  as  issued. 

In  several  instances  rice  and  beans  were  placed  in  very  poor  packages,  and  I  was 
compelled  to  make  complaint  of  this,  as  the  loss  was  such  that  I  thought  it  my  duty 
to  make  complaint.  As  soon  as  this  complaint  was  made,  however,  it  was  reme- 
died in  New  York  and  the  loss  stopped.  At  no  time  have  I  ever  found  it  necessary 
to  take  as  much  as  one-half  of  1  per  cent  for  wastage,  which,  considering  the  fact 
that  the  articles  had  to  be  unloaded  from  the  steamer,  stored  in  an  open  shed,  and 
then  reloaded  either  on  wagon  trains,  cars,  or  steamers,  was  very  small.  While 
speaking  of  this  [  take  occasion  to  express  through  you  my  thanks  to  the  Mer- 
chants' Relief  Association,  in  New  York,  for  the  great  care  exercised  in  forward- 
ing all  materials  and  food  supplies  intrusted  to  their  care.  Every  box  was  marked 
to  show  exactly  what  it  contained,  and  every  barrel  and  case  was  marked  with  its 
contents  and  weight,  and  it  was  real  refreshing  to  have  a  shipment  from  them, 
because  we  knew  exactly  what  we  had  when  it  came  to  hand. 

During  the  month  of  September  I  had  to  combat  a  period  of  petty  thieving  at 
the  warehouse  on  account  of  the  false  idea  which  pervaded  the  country  that  the 
relief  supplies  were  for  the  people  and  could  be  taken  by  whoever  was  able  to  get 
them,  and  I  spent  very  uncomfortable  nights  on  account  of  this,  but  after  I  had 
caught  about  a  half  dozen  natives  with  stolen  articles  in  their  possession,  and  also 
an  American,  who  was  working  for  me  on  the  dock,  and  put  them  before  the  pro- 
visional court,  where  they  were  tried,  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  prison  for 
periods  varying  from  three  to  six  months,  the  state  of  affairs  ceased  to  exist,  and 
I  think  it  was  remarkable  that  such  a  small  amount  was  lost  by  theft,  considering 
the  fact  that  these  supplies  were  stored  in  open  shed  where  the  sneak  thief  had 
wonderful  opportunities. 

I  have  been  very  fortunate  in  the  employees  that  I  have  had  under  me,  and  for 
the  volume  of  business  handled  I  claim  that  our  salary  list  has  been  small.  The 
employees  have  been:  Commissary  Sergeant  Adams,  one  clerk  for  returns  (Mr. 
Richardson),  one  check  clerk,  one  storekeeper  (at  first  Mr.  Dormitt  and  later  on 
Mr.  Goodwin),  at  the  following  salaries: 

Per  month. 

One  clerk  at $60. 00 

One  check  clerk  at 60. 00 

One  storekeeper  at 27. 50 

Per  week. 
One  laborer  at ... 7.50 

Occasionally  an  additional  laborer  at  $7.50  per  week,  amounting  to  a  grand  total 
of  $240  per  month;  but  I  must  explain  that  this  amount  was  expended  but  for  a 
very  few  months,  most  of  the  time  being  but  $200  per  month.  Appendix  D  shows 
the  total  receipts  and  expenditures  of  funds  during  the  time  the  relief  depot  was 
running. 

On  occasion  when  the  Slocum  was  not  available,  more  especially  since  her 
departure  for  New  York  on  May  1,.1900,  to  be  gone  permanently,  I  have  made 
shipment  by  civilian  lines.  The  expenses  that  have  been  incurred  in  the  distribu- 
tion of  these  supplies,  as  far  as  my  office  is  concerned,  gives  a  grand  total  of 

19709—01 16 


242       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    POETO    EICO. 


$36,002.73  expended  by  the  quartermaster's  department,  none  of  which,  up  to 
date,  has  been  paid  by  the  relief  committee,  and  are  as  follows: 

Hire  of  stevedores $15,540.15 

Railroad  transportation,  as  shown  by  bill  of  lading 13, 482. 78 

Water  transportation,  as  shown  by  bill  of  lading. 4, 133. 65 

Hire  of  miscellaneous  transportion(  bull  carts,  schooners,and  small  boats)      1, 247.  71 
Pay  of  the  crew  of  the  Borinquen,  1'rom  August  16,  1899,  to  November 
30,  1899 1,598.44 


36, 002. 73 

These  figures  give  a  total  of  actual  expenditure. 

In  addition,  there  were  relief  supplies  delivered  by  Government  transportation, 
as  follows: 

Slocum— 6,600,000    pounds    (3,300   tons),  which   at  lowest   rate    paid 

civilian  lines  would  be  $2  per  ton $6, 600. 00 

Wright— 1,206,000  pounds  ^603  tons) ,  at  same  rate 1, 206. 00 

Wagon  train  from  San  Juan— 3,800,000  pounds  (1,900  tons),  at  a  low 
average  rate  of  $6  per  ton '. 11,400.00 


Total 19,206.00 

The  grand  total,  $55,208.73,  should  be  repaid  to  the  quartermaster's  depart- 
ment by  some  one  having  the  proper  authority  to  do  so.  I  am  not  aware  what 
arrangements  have  been  made  to  that  effect. 

In  the  case  of  the  hire  of  the  stevedores  we  obtained  very  advantageous  rates  by 
hiring  in  connection  with  ordinary  work  done  for  the  quartermaster's  depart- 
ment and  having  them  under  the  same  check  clerks  and  bosses.  The  labor  of 
these  check  clerks  and  bosses  is  not  counted  against  the  relief  fund,  as  they  are 
permanent  employees  of  the  quartermaster's  department. 

In  conclusion,  I  take  great  pleasure  in  stating  that  the  employees  I  have  had 
under  me  have  worked  with  great  zeal  and  willingness,  day  or  night  or  Sundays 
when  necessary,  in  receiving  and  distributing  these  supplies,  and  I  feel  very 
grateful  to  them  for  it,  more  especially  to  Commissary-Sergeant  Adams,  and  to 
Mr.  Zimmerman,  who  succeeded  him  in  charge  of  the  depot,  and  also  to  Mr. 
Goodwin,  who,  while  supercargo  of  the  Borinquen,  delivered  the  supplies  on  her 
without  the  loss  of  a  single  pound  at  some  of  the  most  dangerous  points  on  the 
island. 

Very  respectfully,  THOMAS  CRUSE, 

Major  and  Quartermaster,  U.  S.  V. 


APPENDIX  A. 
Relief  supplies  received  from  different  ships  from  August  18, 1899,  to  June  15, 1900. 


Date. 

Ship. 

Quantity. 

Date. 

Ship. 

Quantity. 

1899. 
Aug.   18 

McPherson 

Pounds. 
1,278,580 

1900. 
Mar.    8 

Burnside                 

Pounds. 

622 

Aug.    38 

McClellan  

2,  122,  191 

Mar.  13 

McClellan  

1,003,147 

Sept      5 

Kilpatrick 

1  083  667 

Mar  23 

Kilpatrick 

Sept.   14 

Burnside 

2,038,620 

Mar.  27 

Burnside 

993,566 

Sept.  18 

McClellan 

1,804,405 

Apr.  — 

McPherson   . 

1,599,319 

Sept.  27 

Buford 

1  233  961 

Apr.  17 

Crook 

980  375 

Oct.       9 

McPherson 

2,303,593 

Apr.  15 

Burnside  

920,206 

Oct.     16 

McClellan 

2,080 

Apr.  30 

McPherson 

310 

Oct      25 

Burnside 

1,800  485 

May    8 

Crook           .  . 

656,333 

Nov.     2 

McPherson    . 

114,  451 

May  21 

McPherson  

567,999 

Nov.     6 

McClellan 

35,  721 

May  27 

Crook  

8,492 

Nov.   17 

Kilpatrick 

30,215 

Nov.   20 

McPherson  

1,278 

Total  

28,646,834 

Nov.  28 
DC        8 

McClellan  

Burnside               ..  .  .. 

20,000 
878,885 

OTHER  LINES. 



Dec     18 

McClellan 

836  952 

1899 

Deo     2-3 

Buford 

752,455 

•Sept.  1 

Evelyn    . 

52,  249 

Sept.  7 

Pantner 

1,600,070 

1900. 

Sept.  12 

Mae  

39,900 

Jan       1 

McPherson 

1.495,658 

Sept.  12 

Caracas   .  . 

5,400 

Jan       8 

McClellan 

96 

Sept.  15 

Wright 

402,  150 

Jan      16 

Buford 

1  000,  18U 

Sept.  22 

Hildeur 

20U,  795 

Jan.     22 

McPherson    

1,033,069* 

Sept.  23 

Philadelphia  

683,197 

Jan.    30 

McClellan 

1,006,064 

Oct.  25 

Resolute  

901,627 

Feb      6 

1  003  445 

Feb     20 

McClellan 

*225 

Total 

3,891,388 

EEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    POETO    EICO. 


243 


Consolidated  report  of  receipts  and  issues  of  relief  supplies. 


Grand 
total 
receipts. 

Grand 

total 
issues. 

Grand 
total 
receipts. 

Grand 

total 
issues. 

Beans          .  . 

pounds.  . 
do 

9,983,029 
16,  132,  863 
3,  114,  822 
1,123,522 

9,983,029 
16,132,863 
3,114,822 
1,123,522 

Ears  corn  bags.. 
Wheat  do.... 

2 
1 
9 
122 
1 
480 
2 
1 
7 
1 

ll 
5 

9 

1 

20 
15 
2 
177 
1 
5 
1 
7 
10 
1 
9 
3 
2 
5 
1 
9 
6 
10 
1 
1 
40* 
15 
10 
2 
1 
1 
10 
1 
1 
2 
1 
3 
1 
2 
1 
2 
2 
1 
1,200 
1 
4 
30,400 

2 

1 
9 

122 
1 
480 

i 

1  ' 

16 
5 
2 

1 
30 
14 

Rice 

Codfish  

...do... 

[barrels.. 
Hominy  <  sacks  
[boxes  .  .  . 
Canned  vegetables.  bxs.  . 
Cornstarch  boxes  .  . 
Pepper       do  .. 

...do.... 

Bacon  • 

Peas                .  -J 

barrels  .  . 
pounds.  . 
barrels., 
sacks  
barrels.  . 

..boxes.. 

:    do  .. 

260 
499,334 
21 
2 

188 

914 
65 
3,338 
69 
6,604 
46,200 
1 
1 
536 
95 
127 
158 
8 
194* 
664' 

6 
1 
81 
58 
5 
244 
56 
39 
12 
14 
2,066 
500 
2 
25 
14 
400 
300 
161 
'       50 
5 
8 
4 
212 
71 
1 
41 
147 
5 
6 
16 
2 
1 

260 
499,  334 
21 
2 
188 

906 
73 
3,a38 
69 
6,664 
46,200 
1 
1 
536 
82 
127 
158 
8 
194* 
665 

6 
1 
86 
55 
3 
232 
67 
38 
12 
14 
2,066 
500 
4 
19 
14 
400 
300 
161 
50 
5 
8 
4 
212 
71 
1 
41 
147 
5 
6 
17 
2 
1 

'     1 
Herring      .  ... 

Hardware  .  .  .  <  i~~  ",^?Q  "  "  " 

Macaroni  i  boxes 
Baking  powder.  ..do  

Beef: 
Corned  
Roast      .  - 

-r-,-.                      /sacks  
Hour  ^o™.o.io 

Hard  bread  
Gornmeal  • 
Beans,  baked  .. 

..  boxes  .. 
1  pounds.  . 
bags  
barrels  .. 
..boxes., 
barrels.  . 
boxes  ... 
barrels.. 

boxes  .  .  . 
baskets  . 
carboy  s. 
hhds...  . 
pkgs  -  ... 
barrels.- 
bags  ..... 
Jboxes  .  .  . 
boxes 

Turnips  sacks.  . 

Beef  barrels 

Drugs  boxes.  . 
Tomatoes  cans. 

177 
1 
5 
1 
7 
10 
1 
9 
3 
2 
5 
1 
9 
6 
10 
1 
1 
41* 
15 
10 
2 
1 
39 
10 
1 
1 
2 
1 
3 
1 
2 

1 
2 

2 
1 

'     1 
4 

30,400 

Supplies  {bails'" 

Crackers  

Meat,  smoked  bags.. 
Lemons  boxes.. 
Sheeting  bales.. 
Can  openers  boxes.. 
Cotton  batting...  bales.. 
Candles  cases 

Milk,  malted.. 

Medical   sup- 
plies   

Corn  flour  boxes  .. 
Flakes  barrels.. 

Clothing  ....._• 

Glassware  cases.. 
Wire  netting  bdls  .  . 

1 
Hats 

Wrapping  paper  ..  bdls.  . 
Pins  cases 

Soap 

do 

Thread  boxes 

Cottolene  
Lard 

....do.... 
.     tubs 

Soup  do  

Spring  cots  ...  number.. 
Blotting  paper  bdls.. 
Tea  (cases... 

Lumber....^ 

General  goods 
Pork  

barrels., 
rolls 

\boxes  .. 
Stationery  do  — 
Sulphur  barrels.. 

Roofing   . 

Shredded  codfish.  -bxs.. 
Sugar  barrels 

Nails  

Tongue  

...kegs.. 
.  boxes 

Coffee  sacks  . 

Miscellaneous  {cans6^ 

Ham  barrels 

Onions  do  

Apples  boxes 

Prunes  do  — 
Muslin  do  

Oatmeal  {barrels- 
Cocoa  boxes.. 

Potatoes  {barrels  '  I 
Ginger  ale  do  

Groceries  {boxe°8  ::: 

Salt  /bags  .. 

Towels  do 

Ink  do 

Shaving  brushes.  .do  
Assorted  vials  do  
Garden  seeds  .  do  

Books  .  do 

Hominy  pounds.  . 

(.uOA-trb  •  . 

APPENDIX  D. 

Receipts  and  expenditures  of  funds  on  account  of  distribution  of  relief  supplies  at 
the  central  depot  during  existence  of  that  depot. 


Receipts. 

Expendi- 
tures. 

Receipts. 

Expendi- 
tures. 

1899. 
September 

$452.  84 

$409.  50 

1900. 
March 

$257.  50 

$375.  10 

October 

447  50 

454  10 

April 

265  00 

268  70 

November  

414.  76 

439.  50 

May          

1502.  50 

291.30 

December     

380.60 

380.60 

June 

302.50 

291.30 

Julv... 

40.88 

93.33 

1900. 

Do      

20.00 

January 

350  00 

278  10 

February  

207.50 

247.  16 

Total 

3,  440.  98 

3,440  98 

244       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

It  will  be  observed  by  reference  to  the  following  order  that  the  island 
was  divided  into  17  inspection  divisions,  each  commanded  by  an  army 
officer,  who  was  known  as  inspector  of  relief.  He  had  under  his  imme- 
diate charge  a  food  depot,  and  in  the  principal  town  of  each  district 
of  his  division  a  subdepot  where  a  noncommissioned  officer  and  two 
private  soldiers  were  on  duty. 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  119.  f  San  Juan,  August  16,  1899. 

I.  In  addition  to  the  military  post  npon  the  island  the  following  places  are  desig- 
nated as  depots  of  supplies  for  the  destitute  in  their  neighborhoods:  Bayamon, 
Fajardo,  Caguas,  Arroyo,  Guanica. 

A  detachment  of  1  officer  and  25  men  will  be  sent  to  each  of  these  places  to 
receive,  care  for,  and  distribute  supplies.  The  officer  in  charge  will,  if  necessary, 
rent  suitable  buildings  for  the  proper  transaction  of  his  duties  and  will  forward 
to  these  headquarters  requisitions  as  indicated  by  paragraph  8,  General  Orders, 
No.  117,  current  series,  these  headquarters,  and  will  be  governed  by  this  order 
and  such  other  instructions  as  may  be  given. 

II.  The  commanding  officers  of  San  Juan  and  Ponce  will  supply  from  tneir  posts 
the  officers  and  detachments  for  these  points,  as  follows: 

From  San  Juan,  Bayamon,  Caguas,  Fajardo;  from  Ponce,  Arroyo,  Guanica. 

III.  The  destitute  in  the  various  municipalities  will  be  supplied  from  depots  or 
subdepots,  as  follows: 

San  Juan:  Rio  Piedras,  Carolina,  Loiza,  Trujillo  Alto. 

Bayamon:  ToaBaja,  Toa  Alta,  Naranjito,  Dorado,  Corozal. 

San  German:  Sabana  Grande,  Lajas. 

Fajardo:  Rio  Grande,  Luquillo,  Ceiba. 

Mayaguez:  Cabo  Rojo,  Hormigueros,  Las  Marias,  Maricao,  Aiiasco. 

Caguas:  Gurabo,  San  Lorenzo,  Aguas  Buenas,  Juncos. 

Adjuntas. 

Arroyo:  Guayama,  Salinas,  Patillas. 

Lares. 

Guanica:  Yauco,  Guaj^anilla. 

Manati:  Morovis,  Ciales,  VegaBaja,  Vega  Alta. 

Arecibo:  Utuado,  Hatillo,  Camuy,  Quebradillas,  Barceloneta. 

Ponce:  Juana  Diaz,  Santa  Isabel,  Penuelas,  Coamo. 

Humacao:  Yabucoa,  Naguabo,  Piedras,  Maunabo. 

Aibonito:  Barros,  Barranquitas. 

Cayey:  Sabana  del  Palmar,  Cidra. 

Aguadilla:  Moca,  Aguada,  Rincon,  Isabela,  San  Sebastian. 

IV.  While  this  plan  of  distribution  will  be  followed  as  near  as  practicable,  it 
may  be  found  necessary,  on  account  of  difficulty  in  certain  lines  of  travel,  to  make 
slight  changes  in  the  depots  or  subdepots  from  which  parts  of  municipalities  will 
draw  their  supplies.    Officers  in  charge  of  depots  are  authorized  to  make  these 
changes  when  necessary. 

V.  The  Quartermaster's  Department  will  supply  such  transportation  and  riding 
animals  as  may  be  required  at  Bayamon,  Fajardo,  Caguas,  Arroyo,  and  Guanica. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General 

An  outline  of  the  work  in  some  of  these  various  divisions  will  prove 
of  value  in  indicating  the  character  and  extent  of  relief  afforded. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  WORK  IN  THE  RELIEF  DIVISIONS. 

Owing  to  the  extent  of  this  report  and  the  expense  of  printing,  it 
was  deemed  desirable  to  omit  the  history  of  the  work  within  the 
divisions,  which  had  been  very  carefully  prepared.  While  the  history 
of  every  division  shows  much  that  is  common  to  all,  yet  each  has  spe- 
cial features  which  add  interest  and  value  to  the  record.  It  is  there- 
fore to  be  regretted  that  they  could  not  be  included. 


EEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    POETO    EICO.        245 


VITAL  STATISTICS. 

Deaths,  by  months,  in  each  municipality. 


1899. 

19 

00. 

Municipality. 

§ 

s 

•-S 

t 

HS 

August. 

1 
1 

October. 

November. 

1 

January. 

£ 

L 

c8 

1 

March. 

I 

>> 

1-3 

Ad  juntas 

93 

89 

146 

117 

213 

233 

169 

123 

74 

73 

84 

128 

193 

Aguada  

38 

58 

61 

85 

83 

71 

49 

31 

16 

42 

56 

Aguadilla  

]58 

56 

54 

71 

70 

63 

59 

41 

30 

40 

40 

42 

62 

Aguas  Buenas  
Aibonito  

130 

27 

135 
39 

161 
54 

150 
19 

42 
46 

35 
35 

35 
31 

28 
51 

16 
31 

19 
12 

21 
21 

15 
23 

11 
14 

A  fiasco 

60 

45 

68 

65 

80 

93 

64 

66 

41 

54 

64 

59 

74 

Arecibo 

106 

132 

549 

134 

201 

171 

142 

99 

77 

88 

72 

119 

128 

Arroyo  

13 

18 

26 

22 

25 

17 

32 

14 

9 

10 

16 

16 

33 

Barceloneta 

3 

26 

12 

23 

78 

65 

60 

35 

(2) 

C2") 

(2) 

($} 

(8) 

Barranquitas  

24 

78 

68 

73 

59 

39 

22 

f* 

18 

14 

11 

18 

Barros 

21 

29 

108 

98 

95 

111 

91 

46 

29 

18 

19 

20 

17 

Bayamon  

*50 

48 

62 

66 

85 

93 

98 

72 

49 

50 

35 

50 

Cabo-Rojo  

39 

47 

45 

44 

43 

37 

49 

41 

35 

22 

41 

59 

41 

Caguas 

53 

51 

29 

76 

116 

110 

84 

66 

66 

49 

52 

39 

46 

Camuy.  

16 

28 

22 

32 

43 

21 

27 

20 

18 

13 

26 

22 

Carolina  .  . 

21 

27 

31 

32 

31 

29 

31 

32 

29 

20 

23 

23 

22 

Cayev 

37 

52 

118 

56 

82 

88 

58 

56 

54 

36 

40 

50 

56. 

Ceiba  

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(9) 

(3) 

Ciales 

39 

ft 

m 

87 

018 

218 

M 

73 

58 

11 

36 

4 

3* 

Cidra 

14 

39 

83 

19 

31 

20 

19 

15 

10 

q 

11 

21 

15 

Coamo 

23 

39 

41 

24 

35 

48 

33 

39 

25 

27 

30 

45 

63 

r!nmfiri<"» 

11 

19 

106 

33 

46 

54 

60 

25 

24 

23 

18 

17 

24 

Corozai  ... 

140 

21 

134 

50 

78 

78 

56 

40 

15 

32 

20 

12 

18 

Culebra 

12 

3 

1 

2 

2 

1 

2 

2 

1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

Dorado  

16 

7" 

10 

14 

9 

18 

12 

5 

10 

10 

10 

g 

g. 

Fa  jar  do  

39 

30 

25 

38 

30 

31 

40 

59 

57 

52 

45 

41 

38 

Guavama  

61 

36 

36 

38 

56 

61 

62 

61 

50 

45 

49 

53 

94 

Guayanilla 

30 

19 

77 

36 

54 

51 

52 

47 

41 

36 

55 

42 

83 

Gurabo 

15 

23 

23 

27 

30 

47 

27 

25 

19 

16 

12 

15 

17 

Hatillo  

26 

28 

23 

25 

49 

32 

32 

24 

20 

12 

14 

13 

20 

Hato-Grande 

34 

41 

51 

40 

39 

50 

59 

48 

36 

41 

24 

38 

20 

Hormigueros  

14 

12 

16 

12 

J12 

*14 

J12 

(4) 

(4', 

(4) 

(4) 

(4) 

(4) 

Humacao 

49 

43 

127 

51 

67 

70 

91 

A 

7* 

61 

56 

42 

45 

Isabela 

61 

58 

48 

101 

98 

66 

53 

41 

32 

25 

27 

34 

35 

Juana  Diaz  

84 

55 

219 

70 

140 

139 

84 

89 

69 

83 

67 

152 

207 

J  uncos  . 

21 

21 

35 

27 

38 

40 

37 

38 

26 

26 

26 

24 

24 

Lajas 

37 

32 

25 

14 

28 

29 

30 

34 

18 

26 

13 

28 

23 

Lares  

85 

106 

112 

138 

224 

176 

133 

83 

61 

50 

66 

71 

97 

Las  Marias 

24 

42 

55 

36 

59 

83 

69 

45 

29 

39 

33 

57 

54 

Las  Piedras  

11 

13 

27 

15 

22 

J15 

J13 

(6) 

(5) 

(6) 

(8) 

(5) 

(5) 

Loiza    . 

14 

7 

7 

14 

21 

22 

21 

17 

14 

B 

*  1 

^  6 

19 

Luquillo  ... 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

Manatl 

a 

39 

32 

25 

46 

65 

56 

36 

49 

65 

41 

61 

42 

Maricao 

49 

60 

60 

44 

64 

84 

79 

51 

40 

27 

37 

68 

59 

Maunabo  

12 

21 

60 

21 

38 

37 

40 

28 

23 

26 

20 

16 

18 

Mayaguez 

131 

161 

173 

125 

158 

162 

202 

159 

122 

157 

180 

201 

216 

Moca 

59 

69 

65 

84 

121 

80 

45 

28 

19 

16 

27 

41 

51 

Morovis  

21 

43 

183 

38 

89 

65 

60 

33 

24 

23 

22 

20 

17 

Naguabo 

22 

21 

29 

33 

46 

49 

53 

50 

26 

31 

22 

20 

30 

Naranjito  .. 

5 

25 

63 

41 

41 

35 

32 

14 

19 

17 

14 

10 

12 

Patillas  

22 

29 

112 

62 

47 

58 

71 

61 

34 

46 

34 

35 

50 

Penuelas 

29 

21 

29 

37 

61 

51 

58 

43 

43 

24 

50 

79 

80 

Ponce 

174 

137 

410 

966 

254 

251 

273 

202 

175 

226 

310 

392 

431 

Quebradillas 

24 

13 

21 

29 

32 

36 

26 

20 

14 

7 

20 

17 

17 

Rincon 

22 

12 

18 

22 

23 

36 

20 

16 

21 

16 

a!8 

15 

21 

Rio  Grande  

*27 

28 

34 

35 

30 

55 

51 

50 

39 

130 

128 

27 

24 

Rio  Piedras  .. 

20 

27 

39 

37 

58 

51 

32 

32 

33 

43 

21 

27 

31 

Sabana  Grande  
Salinas  

44 

117 

33 
17 

38 
22 

36 
18 

49 
24 

46 

20 

44 
30 

30 
21 

26 

28 

34 
18 

29 
24 

30 

28 

46 
20 

San  German 

67 

74 

55 

84 

122 

95 

84 

68 

34 

40 

50* 

62 

65 

San  Juan 

61 

35 

66 

61 

74 

100 

85 

85 

89 

123 

97 

94 

85 

San  Sebastian... 
Santa  Isabel 

68 
X12 

51 
12 

51 

8 

74 
6 

95 
14 

81 
14 

55 
16 

46 

17 

26 

g 

27 
14 

21 
9 

32 

21 

34 

28 

Toa  Alta 

10 

12 

119 

135 

37 

26 

24 

20 

21 

30 

120 

11 

13. 

Toa  Baja... 

*7 

6 

3 

1 

15 

10 

11 

7 

5 

i(3 

ig 

5 

TrujilloAlto 

6 

22 

10 

30 

9 

11 

14 

g 

4 

9 

Q 

11 

5 

Utuado 

218 

309 

884 

285 

308 

454 

318 

198 

133 

133 

153 

198 

219 

Vega  Alta     , 

12 

17 

20 

25 

36 

31 

18 

13 

12 

10 

10 

4 

g 

Vega  Baja 

*22 

21 

26 

39 

44 

42 

48 

34 

19 

31 

16 

24 

13 

Vieques  . 

19 

12 

20 

15 

18 

18 

13 

11 

10 

15 

15 

26 

19 

Yabucoa 

21 

28 

341 

30 

60 

67 

54 

43 

34 

27 

21 

22 

29 

Yauco^ 

108 

122 

120 

139 

197 

220 

185 

140 

86 

92 

101 

-IRQ 

24ft 

1  Estimated. 

2  Included  in  Manati. 


3  Included  in  Fajardo. 

4  Included  in  Mayaguez. 


5  Included  in  Humacao. 


246       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

PLANTERS'  BELIEF. 
STATISTICS   OF  PLANTERS'   RELIEF. 

By  reference  to  the  preliminary  report  of  this  board  (p.  298)  it  will 
be  seen  that  from  the  inception  of  its  work  the  danger  of  free  distri- 
bution of  food  was  appreciated,  and  every  effort  made  to  minimize  it. 
No  food  for  the  able-bodied  man  unless  he  worked  for  it,  was  the  first 
rule  the  board  promulgated  after  the  immediate  danger  of  death  from 
starvation  was  averted. 

Many  plans  to  employ  labor  were  discussed  and  tried,  but  none 
seemed  to  promise  so  much  from  ever}^  point  of  view  as  that  which 
afterwards  became  so  generally  known  under  the  designation  "Plant- 
ers' relief." 

In  the  very  beginning  of  the  work  this  plan  came  up  for  considera- 
tion, but  was  temporarily  put  aside  because  of  the  allegation  that  it 
would  be  delivering  the  laborer  over  to  the  none  too  tender  mercies  of 
his  employer,  who  not  only  would  cheat  him,  but,  by  withholding  food, 
might  even  deprive  him  of  existence. 

But  the  farms  must  be  restored  and  planting  must  go  on,  or  crops 
could  not  be  raised.  All  this  meant  the  employment  of  labor,  and 
labor  was  not  obtainable  without  an  equivalent  in  something.  This 
something  the  farmers  had  not,  and  could  not  get,  unless  this  board 
would  come  to  their  assistance  by  making  them  its  agents  to  distrib- 
ute food  under  well-defined  restrictions.  The  employment  of  labor 
in  the  haphazard  way  which  obtained  in  the  period  immediately  fol- 
lowing the  hurricane  had  proved  anything  but  a  success.  In  spite  of 
our  every  effort  the  country  was  being  pauperized,  and  the  peon  was 
reaching  that  stage  when  he  refused  employment  from  the  few  who 
had  the  wherewithal  to  buy  labor.  The  situation  was  most  unprom- 
ising, and  its  logic  was  to  force  the  board  to  a  closer  study  of  the  plan 
of  planters'  relief. 

After  due  deliberation  the  board  addressed  the  following  letter  to 
the  Agricultural  Bank,  the  Spanish  Bank,  and  De  Ford  &  Co.,  bankers, 
all  of  San  Juan,  and  to  Credito  Ahorro  y  Ponceno  of  Ponce. 

SEPTEMBER  14, 1899. 

SIR:  The  board  of  charities,  after  serious  study  of  relief  problems  now  present- 
ing in  Porto  Rico,  has  concluded  that  the  extensive  distribution  of  food  to  the 
destitute,  rendered  necessary  by  the  recent  hurricane,  and  which,  unless  properly 
managed,  threatens  to  pauperize  the  laboring  classes,  may  be  made  to  benefit  them 
and  the  proprietary  class,  upon  which  in  any  event  they  must  ultimately  depend. 

The  proposition  shapes  itself  somewhat  as  follows: 

The  board  will  furnish  to  proprietors  whose  lands  have  been  devastated  and 
who  are  in  financial  stress,  enough  food  to  feed  a  stated  number  of  peons  and  their 
lawful  families,  as  long  as  there  is  food  at  its  disposal  or  until  a  new  crop  can  be 
produced. 

In  return  for  this  the  proprietors  must  agree  to  require  of  the  able-bodied  men, 
so  employed,  a  full  day's  work. 

They  will  also  furnish  such  assistance  in  the  way  of  material  as  they  may  be 
able,  to  help  the  workmen  to  properly  help  themselves. 

They  will  also  agree,  so  far  as  in  their  power  lies,  to  prevent  the  misapplication 
of  aid  supplies,  and  their  issue  to  any  able-bodied  man  who  fails  to  render  an 
equivalent  in  work,  either  on  the  plantation  or  elsewhere  in  their  neighborhood. 

The  board  requests  that  inasmuch  as  this  food  is  a  gratuity,  the  proprietors  will 
furnish  their  peons  with  a  small  parcel  of  ground  in  which  to  plant  seed  to  be 
furnished  by  him  or  this  board  and  will  render  such  assistance  as  may  be  neces- 
sary to  enable  their  laborers  and  their  families  to  live  at  least  as  comfortably  as 
they  did  before  the  hurricane. 

Appreciating  your  extensive  acquaintance  with  the  best  class  of  Porto  Ricans' 
planters,  and  realizing  that  your  interests  in  Porto  Rico  as  a  whole,  rather  than 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   247 

your  personal  interest  in  individuals,  will  actuate  your  answer  in  so  vital  a  mat- 
ter, I  have  the  honor  to  ask  that  you  will  kindly  furnish  this  board  with  the 
names  of  such  proprietors  as  you  believe  will  undertake  to  carry  out  this  proposi- 
tion with  due  consideration  of  their  employees  and  appreciation  of  the  efforts  of 
this  board  to  carry  out  the  rule  of  action  it  has  laid  down,  that  "  No  Porto  Rican 
shall  die  of  starvation  and  no  able-bodied  man  shall  eat  the  bread  of  idleness." 
I  remain,  very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  the  Board. 

These  were  answered  as  follows : 

BANCO  TERRITORIAL  Y  AGRICOLA  DE  PORTO  Rico, 

September  15, 1899. 
PRESIDENT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  We  highly  appreciate  the  contents  of  your  favor  received  yesterday,  and 
have  the  pleasure  to  extend  to  you  our  congratulations  upon  your  wise  conclusions 
regarding  the  distribution  of  the  relief  supplies  which  the  charitable  Americans 
have  donated  to  the  destitute  of  this  island  who  were  sufferers  from  the  recent 
hurricane. 

The  proposed  measure  will  furnish  food  and  clothing  to  the  indigent  laborers 
and  at  the  same  time  will  be  a  great  help  to  the  proprietors  who  from  lack  of 
funds  are  unable  to  restore  their  farms.  These  will  also  prevent  able-bodied  men 
who  refuse  to  labor  from  getting  food.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the  planters  will 
meet  the  requirements  of  the  board  over  which  you  so  fittingly  preside,  properly 
disposing  of  the  material  issued  to  them,  not  only  for  their  own  benefit  but  for 
that  of  the  people  at  large.  This  bank,  with  view  to  most  efficiently  aiding  your 
board,  will  request  the  planters  whom  we  believe  reputable  to  give  their  opinion 
upon  this  matter,  and  we  shall  impress  them  with  the  efforts  the  board  is  making 
to  this  end.  We  would  be  very  glad  to  furnish  you  with  any  information  that 
you  may  think  we  can  give,  in  order  to  carry  out  your  plans. 
Very  respectfully, 

VICENTE  ANTONETTO, 
Director  and  Manager. 


CREDITO  Y  AHORRO  PONCENO, 

Ponce,  September  28,  1899. 
Mr.  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

President  of  the  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

DEAR  SIR:  Having  acquainted  ourselves  thoroughly  with  the  plan  contained  in 
your  favor  of  the  14th,  the  purpose  of  which  being  the  making  more  effective  the 
distribution  of  provisions  to  the  working  classes  in  the  country,  we  beg  to  state 
that  we  consider  it  very  opportune,  and  that  its  results  will  be  almost  instan- 
taneous. 

Complying  with  your  request,  we  beg  to  inclose  a  list  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
barrios  of  Ponce  whose  properties  have  suffered  to  a  greater  or  less  degree  on 
account  of  the  hurricane  of  the  8th  of  August,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  these 
gentlemen  will  accept  the  conditions  of  your  board  and  comply  honorably  with 
that  which  is  intrusted  to  them. 

Applauding  the  noble  purposes  of  the  board  in  favor  of  this  country,  we  beg  to 
oign  ourselves, 

Yours,  very  respectfully,  E.  SOLAVA, 

Managing  Director. 


BANCO  E.SPANOL  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  September  29,  1899. 
PRESIDENT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico. 

SIR:  Your  circular  of  the  14th  instant  was  duly  received  and  put  before  the 
council  of  the  bank  for  its  consideration  and  careful  examination  was  made  of  its 
contents. 


248   REPORT  OF  THE  BOAKD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  bank  appreciates  the  kindness  of  the  president  of  the  board  in  having  fur- 
nished them  with  a  copy  of  the  documents  above  mentioned,  and  realizes  the  great 
interests  displayed  in  carrying  out  the  laborious  task  intrusted  to  the  board.  They 
consider  it  most  difficult,  because  all  the  efforts  and  best  desires  of  the  charitable 
people  of  the  North  American  continent  will  be  unfruitful  if  the  food  contributed 
by  them  does  not  reach  the  hands  of  the  needy,  or  is  made  the  subject  of  sordid 
speculation,  or  instead  of  mitigating  the  hunger  of  the  sick  and  of  the  worthy 
indigents  it  is  turned  over  to  the  idle  and  shiftless. 

The  bank  feels  that  the  board  will  meet  with  great  difficulties  in  the  course  of 
he  relief  work. 

Perhaps,  honorable  sir,  you  are  not  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  great  trouble  has 
already  arisen  from  the  distribution  of  food,  despite  the  supervision  of  persons 
invested  with  authority.  This  is  the  reason  why,  in  many  cases,  charitable  people 
have  refused  to  accept  any  charge  connected  with  said  work  as  the  only  way  to 
avoid  the  trouble,  and  even  hatred,  that  the  duties  of  such  a  position  would  cost. 

Another  reason  is  that  our  laborers  have  always  been  paid  at  least  part  of  their 
wages  in  cash,  and  consequently  they  now  refuse  to  work  in  many  instances. 

In  consideration  of  the  foregoing  the  bank  would  advise  that  part  of  the  relief 
material  be  sold  and  the  money  so  obtained  be  given  in  payment  of  part  of  their 
wages.  By  so  doing  labor  would  be  easily  obtained  and  the  actual  condition  of 
the  merchants  would  improve;  the  free  distribution  of  food  constitutes  a  great 
danger  to  the  merchant  as  well. 

It  has  been  the  custom  of  the  planters  for  many  years  to  assign  to  their  laborers, 
who  are  generally  known  as  "agregados,"  small  parcels  of  ground  in  which  to 
plant  seed,  etc.  This  is  done  in  many  parts  of  the  island,  but  in  the  districts  of 
Humacao,  for  instance,  the  planters  refuse  to  do  it,  owing  to  the  great  damages 
that  the  so-called  agregados  caused  to  their  farms. 

The  bank  begs  to  submit  the  inclosed  list  of  planters,  who  are  known  to  be 
worthy  people,  and  at  the  same  time  recommends  that  the  alcalde  and  municipal- 
ities be  requested  to  send  their  reports  upon  the  same  matter. 
We  beg  to  remain,  very  respectfully,  yours, 

CARLOS  M.  SOLER,  Subgovernor. 

On  the  next  day  the  board  published  the  following  open  letter,  ad- 
dressed to  the  reputable  planters  of  Porto  Rico  who  were  in  financial 
distress : 

With  a  view  to  the  mutual  benefit  of  the  proprietors  and  the  peons,  and  to  enable 
this  board  to  so  distribute  its  supplies  that  no  person  shall  be  permitted  to  die  of 
starvation  and  no  able-bodied  man  to  receive  food  without  working  for  it,  the  fol- 
lowing is  submitted  for  your  consideration: 

The  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  will  furnish  to  reputable  proprietors,  whose 
lands  have  been  devastated  and  who  are  in  financial  distress,  enough  food  to  teed 
a  stated  number  of  peons,  now  destitute,  and  their  lawful  families— the  number  of 
laborers  on  any  plantation  to  be  determined  by  the  amount  of  work  to  be  done. 
This  food  will  continue  to  be  supplied  so  long  as  such  is  at  the  disposal  of  the 
board,  or  until  sufficient  time  has  elapsed  for  the  production  of  a  new  crop  of  the 
usual  food.  One  ration,  or  1  pound  of  food,  will  be  given  the  laborer  for  each  full 
day's  work,  and  his  family  shall  receive  like  rations  gratuitously;  but  not  unless 
the  man  works  when  he  is  able  to.  Under  no  circumstances  will  the  donated  food 
be  regarded  as  wages  to  pay  for  labor,  but  simply  as  material  to  prevent  starva- 
tion; and  it  must  not  be  sold  by  the  proprietors  to  anyone,  for  any  purpose  or  at 
any  price. 

In  return  for  this  the  proprietors  must  agree  to  require  of  the  able-bodied  labor- 
ers employed  under  these  terms  a  full  day's  work  for  the  usual  number  of  working 
days  every  week.  They  must  also  agree — 

First.  To  furnish  such  assistance  as  they  may  be  able,  in  the  way  of  material,  to 
help  their  workmen  to  restore  their  dwellings. 

Second.  They  must  assign  to  each  of  their  laborers  a  small  parcel  of  ground  in 
which  to  plant  seed  of  food  plants  (to  be  supplied  by  them  or  this  board),  and  will 
see  that  such  seed  is  properly  planted  and  cultivated. 

Third.  They  vyill  render  such  assistance,  as  in  their  power  lies,  to  enable  their 
laborers  and  their  families  to  live,  at  least  as  comfortably  as  they  did  before  the 
hurricane. 

Fourth.  For  their  own  protection  and  for  that  of  their  laborers  and  this  board, 
they  must  agree,  so  far  as  in  their  power  lies,  to  prevent  the  misapplication  of 
relief  supplies  and  their  issue  to  any  able-bodied  man  who  fails  to  render  an 
equivalent  in  work,  either  on  their  plantations  or  elsewhere  in  their  neighborhood. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHAEITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   249 

Fifth.  They  will  report  to  this  board  at  the  end  of  each  month  the  number  of 
peons  employed,  the  number  in  their  families,  and  the  total  amount  of  food  received 
and  issued. 

Sixth.  And  finally  they  will  be  required  to  transport  the  food  issued  to  them  for 
the  above  purpose,  at  their  own  expense,  from  the  most  convenient  official  depot 
of  this  board  to  their  plantations. 

Nothing  hereinbefore  written  will  be  considered  as  preventing  proprietors  from 
entering  into  any  proper  agreement  with  their  laborers  which  may  be  to  their 
mutual  interests— such  as  future  payments  in  money  at  the  usual  rates  for  present 
work,  etc. 

Should  the  foregoing  meet  your  approval,  and  should  you  desire  to  avail  your- 
self of  the  privilege  herein  set  forth,  you  will  please  advise  this  board  accord- 
ingly, giving  the  following  information: 

1.  Name. 

2.  Address. 

3.  Number  of  acres  cultivated. 

4.  Character  of  crops. 

5.  Percentage  of  loss  from  hurricane. 

6.  Number  of  laborers  required. 

7.  Most  accessible  food  depot. 

8.  Probable  time  assistance  will  be  required. 

9.  Reference  in  the  city  of  San  Juan. 

A  copy  of  this  letter  was  transmitted  to  each  division  inspector  of 
relief  for  his  information. 

September  18  the  following  letter  was  received  from  the  division 
inspector,  Hiimacao : 

I  have  received  your  kind  letter.  It  has  been  my  intention  to  write  to  you  ever 
since  the  hurricane  and  to  try  to  set  forth  a  few  things  which  have  been  troubling 
me.  I  have  taken  a  good  many  rides  over  the  country  and  conversed  with  every 
intelligent  man  I  could  find.  Probably  I  will  not  say  anything  that  is  new,  but 
I  will  have  eased  my  mind  anyway,  so  I  am  obliged  to  you  for  the  chance. 

In  the  first  place,  we  should  look  on  this  country  as  practically  in  a  state  of 
slavery,  where  the  peons  are  still  the  slaves  and  retain  the  name,  and  the  planters 
are  the  masters.  The  peons  squat  on  the  land,  and  their  right  to  do  so  is  not 
questioned.  They  plant  each  a  small  patch  of  corn  or  beans  or  potatoes  against 
starvation's  day.  They  look  to  the  masters  for  work  at  50  centavos  a  day  with 
breakfast,  and  55  centavos  without  breakfast.  This  cash  is  the  easy  change  from 
slavery  by  which  the  planter  transfers  the  labor  of  finding  his  peons.  The  money 
is  spent  at  once  in  buying  codfish  from  Nova  Scotia,  rice  from  India,  and  beans 
from  the  United  States.  This  is  simply  because  it  is  cheaper  to  do  so  than  to  raise 
the  stuff.  The  land  is  too  valuable  to  be  used  in  raising  food.  Considering  for 
the  moment  that  cattle  is  not  a  food,  just  think  of  the  pasturage  when  an  acre  of 
land  will  raise  and  support  a  steer.  I  speak  of  cattle  in  this  way  because  it  is  not 
a  poor  man's  food  and  is  principally  raised  for  export. 

This  state  of  affairs  is  logical— i.  e.,  not  raising  food  because  a  more  valuable 
crop  is  possible — but  it  is  logical  only  so  long  as  there  is  money  in  circulation.  If 
a  man  has  no  money,  he  is  not  benefited  by  the  cheapness  of  food  and  would  be 
much  better  off  if  he  had  planted.  Another  reason  why  food  is  not  raised  in 
Porto  Rico  is  the  fact  that  nothing  in  the  line  of  provisions  can  be  stored  and  kept 
from  one  season  to  another.  We  see  how  soon  our  commissary  supplies  spoil  in 
this  damp  climate.  Flour  three  months  on  this  island  has  to  be  condemned,  corn 
meal  grows  musty,  beans  the  same,  pork  and  bacon  get  skippery.  Potatoes  rot  in 
the  ground  as  well  as  out  of  the  ground.  Corn  kept  in  the  crib  for  years,  as  in 
Illinois,  is  impossible,  and  every  ear  must  be  hung  up  by  itself.  A  planter  can  not 
lay  in  his  winter  stock  of  provisions,  as  in  the  United  States. 

Notwithstanding  the  scarcity  of  provisions,  therefore,  we  may  count  on  things 
running  along  as  usual,  for  it  is  simply  the  natural  state  of  affairs,  if  the  land- 
owners continue  to  employ  the  peons.  The  danger  lies  not  in  the  ruin  of  the  poor, 
but  in  the  ruin  of  the  rich.  The  poor  rebuild  their  shacks  in  a  day  and  have  a 
better  home  than  before;  but  as  soon  as  some  event  causes  the  rich  to  cease  the 
hire  of  labor  the  trouble  begins  here,  as  elsewhere,  for  the  poor  soon  use  up  their 
small  supply  and  will  have  no  money  to  buy  more. 

In  this  district  of  Humacao  sugar  is  the  principal  crop.  At  the  outside  it  is 
damaged  15  per  cent.  At  this  time  of  the  year  it  must  be  weeded  and  worked, 
affording  a  chance  for  a  large  number  of  hands.  But  there  is  not  more  than  one 
chimney  from  here  to  Arroyo;  not  one  sugar  mill  is  in  condition  to  grind  the  cane. 


250       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF   PORTO    RICO. 

It  will  take  many  thousand  dollars  to  put  the  best  of  those  I  have  seen  in  condi- 
tion for  work.     Cane  gets  sour  quickly  and  spoils  rapidly.     What  is  to  be  done? 

The  plan  is  to  divide  up  the  expense  and  loss  by  putting  up  a  "sugar  central," 
or  single  mill,  for  each  district  or  large  valley,  where  all  the  cane  about  can  be 
aken     This  involves  an  arrangement  among  the  owners,  many  of  whom  are  in 
Europe,  and  it  involves  prompt  work  and  much  money.     These  are  very  unfavor- 
able conditions,  considering  that  the  mills  should  be  ready  by  January  "i. 

It  is  to  be  feared  that  some  may  find  it  necessary  to  abandon  their  crops  on 
account  of  the  lack  of  the  capital  necessary.  So  far  as  I  know,  the  planters  are 
making  great  efforts,  but  information  on  this  is  hard  to  get  and  comes  to  me  slowly. 
They  may  be  even  abandoning  their  fields  now,  but  if  they  do  it  will  increase  the 
suffering  greatly. 

If  some  way  could  be  devised  to  get  American  capital  available  for  the  regener- 
ation of  these  sugar  mills,  it  would  do  much  more  good  than  a  fleet  of  transports 
loaded  with  food. 

Coffee,  so  far  as  I  have  seen,  is  ruined  for  this  season  at  least.  It  is  not  a  large 
product  of  this  district,  though.  The  trees  are  stripped  of  their  berries  and  leaves; 
the  shade  trees  are  blown  down.  I  have  seen  many  trees  putting  out  buds  and 
leaves,  but  the  question  of  their  utter  ruin  can  not  be  determined  for  some  months, 
I  believe.  Coffee  picking  is  off;  all  work  is  practically  suspended  for  this  season, 
and  consequently  people  depending  on  coffee  for  work  are  without  a  job. 

Cocoanuts  have  lost  90  per  cent,  but  I  do  not  think  a  great  many  people  depended 
upon  them.  Plantains  and  bananas  are  about  gone.  They  were  a  considerable 
article  of  food.  The  plantain  has  a  very  rapid  growth,  though.  I  believe  the 
sweet  potato  patches  are  the  best  and  safest  source  of  food  raised  in  the  country. 
They  are  practically  uninjured  by  the  hurricane.  I  am  told  potatoes  planted  after 
the  hurricane  are  now  ripe — a  not  very  likely  story,  but  in  the  line  of  my  remarks. 
Rice  is  a  small  crop  here;  some  good  fields  are  to  be  seen.  The  fishermen  still  fish 
along  the  coast  with  nets,  baskets,  and  some  seines  and  boats. 

Looking  at  the  district  to-day  it  is  hard  to  see  how  it  is  in  any  worse  condition 
than  before  the  8th  of  August,  except  in  the  dangerous  losses  sustained  by  the 
lords  of  the  land.  From  what  I  have  seen  of  the  eastern  end  of  the  island  I  would 
say  that  Fajardo,  Ceiba,  and  Juncos  have  suffered  a  loss  that  is  not  appreciable, 
so  far  as  the  necessity  for  relief  is  concerned.  Arroyo  and  Piedras  have  suffered  a 
little  and  need  a  little  relief.  Humacao,  Yabucoa.  and  Maunabo  have  suffered  a 
great  deal.  Comparison  with  the  figures  in  your  recent  circular  is  not  necessary. 
Yabucoa  seems  to  have  been  the  center.  The  place  is  utterly  desolate,  even  now. 
I  see  no  chance  for  it  to  repair  its  injuries.  In  Yabucoa  26  people  were  killed  in 
one  house. 

In  my  district  the  places  which  have  suffered  least  have  been  crying  the  most, 
and  actually  getting  the  most  supplies  sometimes.  I  must  say  that  I  consider  the 
want  and  suffering  as  greatly  exaggerated,  and  I  freely  admit  somuch  of  the  error 
as  I  am  responsible  for.  I  don't  know  that  I  understand  what  is  meant  by  indi- 
gent people.  In  my  opinion  the  whole  barefoot  population  is  indigent— that  is, 
they  are  idle,  shiftless,  without  ambition,  and  will  not  work,  except  under  the 
prospect  of  starvation.  This  does  not  mean  that  they  ought  to  be  fed.  I  fear  the 
issue  of  rations  is  missing  its  good  intent.  It  seems  impossible  to  better  it  except 
by  a  new  and  strict  rule.  It  is  too  much  to  expect  these  commissaries  and  char- 
ity boards  to  have  high  ideas  of  duty  when  they  are  not  working  for  pay,  and 
every  time  they  refuse  rations  they  make  an  enemy  in  the  place  where  they  live. 

I  propose  then  a  new  rule  for  the  entire  island  of  Porto  Rico,  subject  to  one 
exception.  The  rule  is,  give  no  rations  except  to  sick,  wounded,  widows,  orphans, 
aged,  and  paupers. 

The  exception  that  I  propose  is  as  follows:  Whenever  any  planter  or  employer 
of  labor  shall  make  an  affidavit  that  certain  men,  named,  are  habitually  employed 
by  him,  and  that  he  is  no  longer  able  to  employ  them  because  of  the  loss  of  his 
property  or  crops  in  the  hurricane,  said  persons  may  receive  rations  for  three 
months,  for  themselves  and  families.  A  list  of  able-bodied  men  to  whom  rations 
are  thus  issued  shall  be  kept  by  the  employer  who  makes  the  affidavit  and  by  the 
comisario  of  the  district.  When  work  is  obtainable  for  these  men  the  issue  ceases, 
and  the  men  receiving  rations  will  sign  a  written  agreement  to  hold  themselves 
ready  to  work  for  public  purposes  at  whatever  time  they  may  be  called  on.  Fraud 
to  be  punished.  I  think  such  a  plan  would  have  some  chance  of  success.  At  all 
events  the  present  plan  has  failed  in  its  object. 

I  might  speak  of  the  island  of  Vieques,  which  claims  that  it  is  in  need  of  400 
laborers,  but  I  have  imposed  too  much  on  your  sense  of  duty  by  asking  you  to  fol- 
low me  through  14  pages,  and  I  am  always, 

Sincerely,  yours,  EBEN  SWIFT. 


EEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    POETO    EICO.        251 

Which  was  replied  to  at  once  as  follows : 

Thank  you  for  your  very  valuable  and  interesting  letter,  which  reached  me 
to-day  and  upon  which  I  have  pondered.  Your  propositions  are  incontrovertible. 
Porto  Rico  can  not  be  rehabilitated  until  the  proprietors  are  on  their  feet  again, 
and  many  of  them  can  not  be  placed  there  until  some  laws  now  obtaining  are 
changed  and  new  ones  made.  Just  at  this  moment  the  board  is  preparing  a  scheme 
by  which  we  will,  so  to  speak,  enter  into  partnership  with  the  proprietors  by  fur- 
nishing them  food  to  feed  their  laborers  while  a  new  crop  is  being  produced.  The 
scheme  is  not  absolutely  ideal,  but  we  must  try  everything  to  get  these  people  to 
work,  if  we  must  feed  them  to  keep  them  alive,  and  much  of  that  work  should 
certainly  go  into  the  farms  of  those  who  at  present  have  not  the  wherewithal  to 
hire  labor.  The  proposed  plan  accords  with  the  patriarchal  scheme  set  forth  in 
your  letter,  for,  as  you  say,  the  relation  between  the  peon  and  the  planter  is  prac- 
tically the  same  as  between  master  and  slave,  with  a  difference  in  favor  of  the 
latter.  What  you  say  about  food  production  seems  to  me  to  be  open  to  certain 
modifications.  I  am  impressed  with  the  idea  that  most  of  the  food  Porto  Ricans 
eat  is  raised  on  the  island,  and  that  it  has  practically  all  been  destroyed.  The 
number  reported  destitute  is  an  ever-increasing  one,  and  I  can  not  believe  that  we 
are  being  universally  deceived.  On  the  contrary,  1  have  expected  this  from  the 
beginning,  for  when  the  meager  supply  of  food  that  this  people  had  was  consumed 
and  the  windfalls  of  fruit  from  the  storm  had  disappeared  there  seemed  to  be 
nothing  left  but  importation  or  starvation. 

I  think  worse  is  to  come,  and  unless  we  perfect  our  organization  and  get  every- 
thing running  smoothly  we  are  likely  to  have  riot,  bloodshed,  and  murder.  As 
Macomb  says:  "A  man  will  not  go  hungry  or  allow  his  family  to  suffer  if  his 
neighbor  has  anything  that  will  prevent  it.  I  think  you  wouldn't,  and  I  am  sure 
I  wouldn't,  even  if  it  came  to  a  life  or  death  question.  You  say  that  your  district 
is  in  no  worse  condition  to  day  than  before  August  8,  except  in  the  dangerous 
losses  sustained  by  the  lords  of  the  land;  which  goes  without  saying,  since  they 
alone  had  anything  to  lose,  save  in  one  direction,  food — which  bounteous  nature 
produced  for  all  and  destroyed  in  a  night.  To  be  sure,  if  the  proprietors  had 
money  they  could  employ  labor,  and  labor  could  then  buy  food  with  its  wages, 
which  would  have  made  a  simple  problem  for  us;  but,  alas,  they  have  no  money 
and  we  must  as  a  consequence,  I  fear,  feed  not  less  than  250,000  people  for  many 
weeks  yet. 

By  our  standards  the  whole  peon  population  here  is  indigent;  but  my  definition 
of  the  word  for  present  use  is  starving.  It  seems  to  me  that  the  habitations  and 
clothing  are  secondary  to  the  one  essential — food;  for  mankind  must  eat  to  live, 
and  moreover  they  should  eat  by  the  sweat  of  their  brows,  and  here  is  the  proposi- 
tion in  a  nut  shell — food  for  the  hungry  and  work  for  the  able-bodied  men. 

We  certainly  can  not  let  people  starve  to  death,  and  most  of  these  people  are  on 
the  verge  of  starvation  all  their  lives.  Your  rule  is  a  good  one,  but  it  is  too  com- 
prehensive— sick,  wounded,  widows,  orphans,  aged,  and  paupers.  Who  are  left? 
Possibly  10  per  cent  of  the  able-bodied  men,  who,  if  not  surreptitiously  fed  by  the 
above-named  will  starve,  whereby  we  lose  the  only  wage- earning  part  of  the 
population. 

The  last  part  of  your  letter  is  practically  embraced  in  the  scheme  of  which  I 
inclose  you  a  copy,  and  I  hope  it  will  work.  Certainly  if  the  proprietors  take  it 
up  they  will  see  that  the  peons  work,  while  we  can  see  that  they  are  not  misused. 

Again  thanking  you  for  your  letter  and  the  good  work  already  done  by  you,  I 
remain, 

Very  sincerely,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon  U.  8.  A. ,  Chief  Surgeon. 

Very  soon  after  the  publication  of  the  open  letter  applications  from 
distressed  planters  began  to  arrive  in  numbers  far  surpassing  expec- 
tation; for  the  board,  basing  its  calculations  on  the  best  obtainable 
information,  had  estimated  that  not  more  than  500  planters  would 
take  advantage  of  the  plan,  whereas  it  actually  received  and  now  has 
on  file  12,000  applications. 

The  estimate  of  the  number  of  distressed  planters  was  about  as 
close  as  that  of  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  a  new  crop  of  bananas. 
Both  were  based  upon  such  public  opinion  as  we  came  in  contact  with, 
and  both  were  far  wrong.  Evidently  only  the  great  plantations,  some 
2,000  in  number,  were  considered. 


252       KEPORT    OF   THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 


The  following  estimate,  based  upon  information  obtained  during 
the  progress  of  the  work,  is  believed  to  be  approximately  correct: 

Estimated  number  of  farms  in  Porto  Rico. 


Divisions. 

Sugar. 

Coffee. 

Tobacco. 

Fruit. 

Bayamon,  including  San  Juan  

88 

275 

2  446 

Arecibo,  including  Manati 

38 

396 

66 

2  849 

Aguadilla,  including  Lares 

40 

300 

2  394 

Mayaguez.  including  San  German  

90 

778 

2,535 

Ponce  .                              .... 

49 

7,453 

570 

9  260 

Guayama,  including  Arroyo,  Caguas,  and  Cayey 

38 

2,034 

40 

3  563 

J-Tiimarfj.o,  including  Fajnrdr* 

317 

1  892 

403 

11,553 

676 

24,939 

Grand  total,  37,571  plantations  of  all  kinds. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  the  number  of  planters  who 
applied  furnishes  a  very  fair  index  of  the  amount  of  general  indigency 
in  Porto  Rico,  about  33  per  cent. 

The  service  of  information  in  this  department  of  the  work  consisted 
in  the  statement  of  the  applicant,  which  embraced  the  facts  required 
in  the  open  letter  above  quoted,  the  confidential  statement  by  a  ref- 
erence, and  an  investigation  and  report  by  the  division  inspector. 

If  the  replies  were  all  favorable,  an  agreement  was  filled  up  (in  dupli- 
cate) and  returned  for  signature. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  following  translation  that  this  agreement 
was  quite  comprehensive : 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R..  -    — ,  1899. 

I,  —  — ,  manager  (or  proprietor)  of  —  —  acres  of  cultivated  property 
in  the  barrio  of ,  municipality  of ,  Porto  Rico,  for  consideration  here- 
inafter named,  do  hereby  agree  to  the  following: 

1st.  To  provide  work  on  my  plantation  for  able-bodied  men  for 

weeks,  requiring  from  them  at  least  eight  (8)  hours'  work  each  day  for  six  (6) 
days  each  week. 

2nd.  To  render  assistance  to  these  laborers  in  the  reconstruction  of  their  homes 
and  towards  making  them  and  their  families  at  least  as  comfortable  as  before  the 
hurricane  of  the  8th  day  of  August,  1899. 

3rd.  To  assign  to  each  a  small  parcel  of  land,  not  less  than  10,000  square  feet,  in 
which  to  plant  seed  of  food  plants,  and  to  see  that  such  seed  is  furnished  and  prop- 
erly planted  and  cultivated,  the  product  of  such  cultivation  to  be  the  property  of 
the  person  to  whom  the  plot  has  been  assigned. 

4th.  To  furnish  each  person  so  employed  with  as  many  pounds  of  food  for  each 
and  every  day's  work  which  he  performs  as  there  are  legitimate  members  of  his 
family,  excluding  adult  males  not  working  on  my  farm. 

5th.  To  make  careful  investigation  to  assure  myself  that  no  member  of  the  fam- 
ily of  the  person  so  employed  by  me  is  receiving  relief  supplies  from  any  source 
except  through  myself,  and  that  no  issue  is  made  for  any  person  who  is  receiving 
other  means  of  subsistence. 

6th.  To  keep  strict  account  of  all  food  received  and  issued,  and  to  issue  no  more 
food  than  the  amount  called  for  in  paragraph  4. 

7th.  To  report  to  the  board  of  charities  each  month  the  number  of  persons  em- 
ployed by  me,  the  number  composing  their  families,  and  the  amount  of  food 
received  and  issued,  and  any  misuse  of  relief  supplies  that  may  have  come  to  my 
attention. 

8th.  To  transport  the  required  food  supplies  from  —     —  to  my  farm  each  week. 

In  consideration  of  the  foregoing  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  agrees  to 
furnish  —  — ,  barrio  of  -  — ,  municipality  of—  — ,  at  its  convenience 

and  so  long  as  such  is  at  its  command,  an  amount  of  food  approximating  one  ( 1 ) 
pound  per  pay  for  each  person  employed  by  him  in  working  his  farm  and  each 
member  of  said  person's  family.  But  nothing  in  this  agreement  is  understood  as 
holding  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  liable  in  damages  or  otherwise  for  any 
failure  to  supply  the  whole  or  any  part  of  the  food  hereinbefore  mentioned. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        253 

It  is  further  understood  that  any  misapplication  of  relief  supplies  by  the  pro- 
prietor or  his  agents  will  be  cause  for  the  prompt  annulment  of  this  agreement 
and  his  prosecution  under  the  requirements  of  General  Order,  124,  Headquarters 
Department  of  Porto  Rico,  dated  August  19th,  1899. 


[Signature  of  proprietor  or  manager.] 
Witness: 


(Duplicates.) 

DIRECTIONS. — This  agreement  must  be  signed  and  witnessed  in  duplicate.  Both 
copies  will  be  sent  to  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  at  San  Juan,  and,  if 
approved,  one  copy  will  be  returned  to  the  signer. 

If  honestly  kept  the  results  could  not  fail  to  be  satisfactory. 

Certainly  something  had  to  be  done  with  the  means  at  our  com- 
mand, food,  to  avoid  a  dilemma,  one  horn  of  which  was  starvation 
and  the  other  pauperization. 

It  must  be  understood  that  the  board  had  little  or  no  money  and 
absolutely  no  means  of  obtaining  any,  and  its  fear  was  that  even  the 
food  would  not  be  available.  But  it  never  failed  to  appreciate  the 
gravity  of  the  situation. 

The  Rev.  A.  B.  Rudd,  special  inspector  of  this  board,  wrote  Sep- 
tember 20: 

Allow  me  to  repeat  what  I  have  said  in  former  reports.  Unless  some  plan  can 
be  devised  whereby  the  landowners  may  begin  work  on  their  plantations  this 
charity  work  will  have  to  go  on  indefinitely,  and  each  day  it  is  continued  the  con- 
dition of  the  people  will  be  rendered  more  critical.  The  plan  spoken  of  in  a  recent 
issue  of  the  San  Juan  News  (Planters'  Relief)  seems  to  me  to  look  in  the  right 
direction. 

October  18  the  alcalde,  Ciales,  forwarded  a  resolution  of  the  munici- 
pal council  asking  that  the  planters  who  had  solicited  assistance  from 
the  board  be  helped  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment,  as  the  pres- 
ent situation  does  not  admit  of  delay,  which  might  be  fatal  to  the 
maintenance  of  public  order. 

It  is  absolutely  impossible  for  planters  to  employ  laborers  at  their  own  expense, 
as  the  hurricane  has  left  them  without  means. 

This  paper  was  referred  to  the  division  inspector,  Manati,  and 
returned  with  the  following  indorsement : 

Respectfully  returned.  The  local  board  wishes  the  planters  to  have  the  rations 
for  distribution,  as  they  think  in  this  way  the  deserving  will  be  more  likely  to  get 
them.  Under  the  present  method  in  many  cases  it  is  impossible  for  the  local 
board  to  discriminate  the  deserving  from  the  undeserving.  Rations  have  been 
sent  all  over  this  district,  medicines  have  been  supplied,  and  everything  possible 
is  being  done, 

October  9  Mr.  Echevarria,  a  planter  of  Gurabo,  who  ultimately 
received  a  large  amount  of  food  from  the  board,  wrote : 

I  have  just  received  your  esteemed  circular,  which  I  have  filled  out,  and  confid- 
ing in  your  condescension  I  take  the  liberty  of  making  the  following  observations: 

The  harmony  which  is  so  necessary  between  proprietor  and  peon  can  not  now 
exist  in  this  island  as  it  always  has  to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  envied  by  other  coun- 
tries. The  reason  is  very  simple;  the  proprietor  is  deprived  of  his  credit  on 
account  of  the  loss  not  only  of  his  crops  of  coffee  and  minor  products,  but  also 
everything  he  planted,  making  it  necessary,  so  to  speak,  for  him  to  begin  all  over 
again,  such  was  the  intensity  of  the  hurricane  which  wrecked  everything.  I,  who 
had  invested  everything  I  had  in  plantations,  remain  without  even  enough 


254   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

resources  to  support  my  family;  therefore,  if  I  am  not  able  to  get  the  board  to 
lend  me  three  or  four  hundred  dollars  for  the  purpose  of  building  my  house  and 
barns,  of  very  little  use  would  it  be  to  me  to  clear  my  coffee  plantations  of  the 
large  trees. 

The  laborer  will  demand  wages  besides  his  food  and  the  ration  of  1  pound  for 
himself  and  family,  and  where  am  I  going  to  get  it?  It  is  necessary  to  be  in  his  posi- 
tion in  order  to  be  able  to  know  what  the  proprietor  of  moderate  means  suffers. 

Nobody  is  able  to  sustain  himself  with  provisions  only;  it  is  necessary  to  dress. 
For  this  reason  I  asked  in  one  of  my  former  letters  for  coiilmon  clothes  for  men  and 
women,  in  order  to  pay  wages  with  these.  I  believe  that  the  twelve  laborers  which 
I  stated  I  required  for  three  months  for  the  first  cultivation  in  the  plantations 
will  be  contented  as  soon  as  they  know  that  besides  food  they  will  have  clothes. 

As  regards  what  I  have  stated  about  my  farm:  Its  value  to-day  is  §6,000,  it  hav- 
ing lost  $9,000  of  the  $15,000  it  was  valued  at  in  the  tax  assessments  of  1899-1900. 
If  I  am  helped  with  30  per  cent  of  the  $6,000  I  will  begin  to  repay  this  amount  four 
years  from  the  present  time,  at  the  rate  of  $300  a  year,  until  the  debt  is  canceled, 
always  giving  this  debt  the  preference.  The  period  of  three  months  is  necessary 
for  the  first  weeding  and  the  replanting  of  the  plantations,  bananas,  and  coffee 
trees,  which  have  been  torn  up. 

I  have  given  the  name  of  Dooley  &  Co. ,  because  they  know  me,  that  of  J.  Ochoa 
&  Co.,  because  I  have  sold  them  coffee,  and  the  firm  of  Esquiaga,  to  whom  I  for- 
merly sold  coffee.  1  make  these  explanations  in  case  they  are  required.  Among 
the  provisions  it  would  be  well  to  send  some  corn  meal,  which  is  a  strong  food  for 
the  peons.  Some  native  chewing  tobacco  in  coils  would  also  be  very  acceptable, 
for  all  like  it. 

Last  Tuesday,  September  26,  an  American  was  here,  and  he  inspected  the  farm 
with  my  son  and  saw  the  damage  done  by  the  hurricane.  I  hope  you  will  attend 
to  my  request.  I  am  at  your  orders. 

October  12  Mr.  Amadeo,  of  Barros,  wrote: 

Since  I  had  the  honor  of  an  interview  with  you  a  few  days  ago  I  have  found  out 
on  returning  to  my  native  town  that  the  food  stuffs  so  generously  donated  in  the 
United  States  for  the  relief  of  our  starving  poor  are  either  not  wisely  distributed 
or  else  do  not  reach  the  remote  districts,  where  roads  are  nonexistent  and  misery 
is  dominant. 

In  order  to  remedy  this  evil,  I  beg  to  propose  the  following  remedy,  which  will 
both  afford  relief  to  the  hungry  and  to  the  agriculturist  left  without  crops  or 
capital  by  the  hurricane.  The  remedy  is: 

First.  To  hand  over  portions  of  provisions  and  clothing  to  agriculturists  of 
known  probity,  who  will  employ  labor  on  their  farms,  paying  therefor  in  pro- 
visions; thus  renewing  the  cultivation  of  their  crops,  and  giving  food  to  deserving 
workers. 

Second.  Allowing  said  agriculturists  to  exchange  food  for  clothing,  or  vice 
versa,  at  the  merchants'  stores,  when  either  is  more  urgently  required  than  the 
other,  sending  vouchers  for  such  transactions  to  the  board  of  charities. 

This  method  of  relief  could  be  extended  by  the  agriculturists  to  such  portions 
of  rural  roads  as  connect  their  properties  with  adjoining  ones. 

The  effort  to  relieve  the  distressed  planter  had  scarcely  been  well 
started  before  the  board  was  brought  face  to  face  with  the  fact  that 
following  the  Spanish  rule  of  law  we  would  be  forced  to  regard  all 
planters  as  suspicious  until  they  had  proved  themselves  above  it; 
rather  than  our  own  more  benign  method. 

Two  cases  were  so  glaring  that  the  board  felt  constrained  to  publish 
them  as  a  warning  to  others.  The  matter  was  presented  as  follows : 

The  difficulties  which  the  board  of  charities  labors  under  in  its  efforts  to  feed 
the  hungry,  help  the  distressed  planters,  and  prevent  able-bodied  men  from  eating 
the  bread  of  idleness  are  many  and  trying. 

The  plan  of  a  combination  between  the  board,  the  needy  planters,  and  the  peon 
'is  now  being  put  into  effect,  and  good  results  are  hoped  from  it.  The  modus 
operand!  is  as  follows: 

The  planter  makes  application  to  the  board  (on  a  blank  furnished  by  it)  for  food 
for  the  stated  number  of  peons  (laborers) ,  giving  various  statistics  as  to  his  finan- 
cial condition  and  the  name  of  some  individual,  preferably  a  resident  of  San  Juan, 
as  reference. 

The  board  sends  a  confidential  letter  to  the  reference,  requesting  certain  informa- 
tion regarding  the  applicant.  It  also  sends  a  letter  to  the  commanding  officer  of 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        255 

the  division  in  which  the  planter  resides,  asking  that  he  have  the  man  investigated 
and  submit  a  recommendation  of  approval  or  disapproval  of  the  application. 
Through  this  means  the  board  is  enabled  to  take  intelligent  action  upon  each  case. 
That  the  planters  do  not  always  appreciate  the  objects  of  the  charity  now  being 
extended  to  the  starving  in  Porto  Rico  is  evidenced  by  the  following  cases  which 
the  board  is  happy  to  say  are  exceptional. 

Application  No.  1. 

Seilor ,  of ,  applied  for  food  for  his  laborers  and  their  families 

under  the  provisions  of  a  circular  letter  from  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico 
dated  September  14,  1899. 

He  reports  that  he  has  200  acres  of  land  under  cultivation,  chiefly  in  sugar  cane; 
that  his  losses  from  the  hurricane  amounted  to  24i  per  cent  of  the  value  of  his 
property;  that  he  requires  100  laborers  to  work  his  farm;  that  the  food  deposit  most 
accessible  to  his  is  at  —  — ,  and  that  he  will  require  food  for  twelve  weeks. 

He  refers  to ,  of . 

Application  No.  2. 

Senor ,  of ,  reports  that  he  has  150  acres  of  land  under  cultivation, 

chiefly  in  coffee;  that  his  losses  from  the  hurricane  amounted  to  75  per  cent  of  the 
value  of  his  property;  that  he  requires  25  laborers,  etc. 

The  references  in  the  above  cases  were  written  to,  but  as  their  communications 
are  confidential  nothing  further  will  be  said  concerning  them.  The  commanding 
officer  of  the  division  in  which  these  distressed  proprietors  reside  was  then  addressed 
as  follows: 

"  Will  you  kindly  investigate  the  standing  of  these  applicants  in  their  community 
and  the  statistics  above  set  forth  and  submit  your  recommendations  in  regard  to 
placing  them  on  the  distressed  proprietors  list  of  this  board.  Upon  receipt  of  your 
communication  (if  favorable)  agreements  to  be  signed  by  the  applicants  will  be 
transmitted  through  you,  which,  when  signed,  you  will  please  return  to  this 
board,"  etc. 

In  reply  to  the  above  the  following  was  received: 

"SiR:  Your  communication  of  October  7,  1899,  and  received  October  12, 1899, 

relative  to  the  standing  and  losses  sustained  by  Mr. ,  is  hereby 

replied  to. 

"Mr. and  Mr. ,  the  gentlemen  mentioned  in  your 

letter  of  inquiry  of  October  7,  1899,  are  of  excellent  standing,  and  as  far  as  I  can 
ascertain  their  statements  of  losses  sustained  during  the  storm  of  August  8,  1899, 
are  fair  and  conservative. 

"  Mr. has,  I  am  informed,  some  4,000  acres  of  land  near and  vicin- 
ity devoted  to .  He  has  sugar  plantations  very  near of  some  hundred 

acres;  on  this  was  his  greatest  loss  sustained. 

"  Mr. has  a  coffee  plantation  near .    His  estimate  of  75  per  cent  to 

be  destroyed  is  conservative. 

"As  to  your  question  of  Government  aid  in  issuing  rations  to  laborers,  the 
employees  on  these  places,  I  am  at  a  loss  for  an  answer. 

"  Mr. is  reputed  to  be  the  richest  man  in  this  section  of  the  country.    His 

wealth  is  estimated  to  be  $1,000,000  (Porto  Rican  money). 

"Mr. is  also  by  common  repute  wealthy.    He  now  contemplates  sending 

two  sons  to  school  in  the  United  States,  and  himself  announces  his  intention  of 
spending  a  year  in  the  United  States  and  in  France. 

"There  are  men  with  much  less  money  than  these  men  who  are  actively  work- 
ing to  repair  the  damage  done  by  the  storm. 

' k  Of  all  men  in  this  township  they  are  the  most  able  to  get  men  and  pay  them 
in  cash  for  their  work. 

"Others  ( , )  have  all  the  men  they  want  at  40  cents  per  day  (Porto 

Rican  money). 

"I  think  after  gathering  all  the  facts  that  I  can,  that  this  is  the  most  outrageous 
demand  I  ever  heard  of. 

14  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  " ." 

What  hope  is  there  for  the  present  generation  in  Porto  Rico  if  the  conspicuous 
men  on  the  island  have  so  little  appreciation  of  honor,  indeed  of  common  honesty, 
that  they  can  permit  themselves  to  descend  to  such  practices?  We  occasionally 
hear  of  the  misapplication  of  the  relief  supplies  by  the  lower  classes — poor  people 
who  are  hungry  every  day  all  their  lives— but  what  can  be  expected  of  them  if 
those  they  have  been  taught  to  look  up  to,  almost  as  slave  to  master,  ask  charity 


256   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

from  a  kindly  people,  masquerading  as  suffering  for  the  necessaries  of  life  when 
in  reality  they  are  living  in  the  lap  of  luxury.  The  representative  men  of  Porto 
Rico  must  learn  that  before  they  and  their  citizens  can  take  their  places  in  the 
line  with  the  enlightened  people  of  the  world,  they  will  have  to  adopt  the  same 
standards  of  honesty  and  truthfulness  that  actuate  such  people. 

The  first  applicant  approved  by  the  board  (September  26,  1899) 
refused  to  sign  the  agreement  for  reasons  as  follows : 

I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  as  the  hurricane  destroyed  my  plantation  and 
house  and  left  me  without  resources  of  any  kind,  it  is  evident  that,  having  lost  the 
coming  crop  of  coffee — all  I  had  on  which  to  borrow  money — I  will  in  no  way  be 
able  to  resume  my  agricultural  pursuits. 

Having  examined  the  conditions  of  the  agreement  with  the  board,  I  have 
decided  that  the  above  circumstances  do  not  permit  my  signing  it.  I  therefore 
respectfully  return  it,  because  I  do  not  wish  to  have  to  render  bad  accounts  of 
such  a  sacred  trust  as  that  which  would  be  confided  to  my  care. 

The  second  applicant  approved  also  declined  to  sign  for  the  alleged 
reason  that  if  he  kept  his  agreement  it  would  cost  more  than  it  came 
to.  But  those  who  declined  were  but  a  small  proportion  of  those  who 
applied. 

Some  hitches  occurred  in  the  distribution  of  food  to  planters,  as 
illustrated  in  the  following: 

I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  up  to  the  present  date  I  have  been  unable  to  get 
the  provisions  which  are  to  be  delivered  to  me  according  to  my  contract  with  the 
board.  At  a  cost  of  $12  1  sent  pack  trains  to  fetch  these  on  two  occasions.  The 
first  time  they  were  not  delivered  because  the  provisions  had  not  yet  arrived  in 
Bayamon,  the  second  time  because  the  order  for  their  delivery  was  addressed  to 
the  corporal  in  charge  of  depot  in  Naranjito  instead  of  to  the  first  lieutenant  at 
Bayamon.  I  therefore  request  the  board  to  give  me  an  order  to  receive  the  supplies 
once  a  month  in  Bayamon,  as,  on  account  of  the  rains,  the  river  La  Plata  wjiich 
has  to  be  passed,  becomes  so  swollen  that  the  crossing  of  it  is  very  difficult. 

This  letter  was  referred  to  the  noncommissioned  officer  at  Bayamon, 
who  returned  it  with  the  following  indorsement: 

NOVEMBER  2,  1899. 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

Mr.  Modesto  Archilla  applied  here  for  rations  on  the  30th  of  last  month,  which 
were  issued  to  him  in  compliance  with  an  official  order  from  the  board  of  chari- 
ties. He  also  applied  for  rations  once  before,  which  were  not  issued,  as  the  order 
for  issue  was  not  at  this  office,  and  I  was  not  aware  that  such  order  had  been 
issued.  In  regard  to  issuing  rations  for  more  than  one  week  at  once,  this  is  not 
desired  by  the  board  of  charities.  In  my  judgment  such  should  not  be  issued  for 
more  than  one  week  at  a  time. 

The  added  work  entailed  upon  the  administration  and  inspection 
made  large  demands  upon  time  that  could  ill  be  spared. 

Practically  all  of  the  delay  in  executing  the  agreements  occurred 
during  the  period  of  investigation.  And  finally  we  were  almost 
inevitably  forced  to  fall  back  upon  the  local  authorities  for  informa- 
tion, with  every  assurance  that  the  incumbents  would  favor  the 
applications  made  by  their  own  partisans,  and  delay  those  of  their 
opponents. 

The  agreements  were  usually  made  for  a  fixed  period,  and  frequent 
applications  were  received  for  an  extension  of  time  or  an  increase  of 
the  number  of  laborers.  As  the  months  rolled  on  and  the  situation, 
due  to  well-known  economic  causes,  continued  critical,  it  became  the 
rule  to  extend  the  agreements,  when  approved,  so  that  we  could  get 
food  to  the  hungry  at  their  own  doors,  and  thereby  keep  them  from 
congregating  in  the  cities,  with  all  the  attendant  evils. 

The  board  required  that  food  should  be  drawn  by  the  planter,  or 
his  legal  representative,  each  week,  and  that  no  back  rations  should 
be  issued.  It  also  required  that  a  monthly  report  of  distributions 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   257 

should  be  rendered.  In  fact,  it  made  excellent  rules,  many  of  which 
it  found  difficult  in  having  obej'ed,  for  the  inspectorate  was  not 
•strong  enough  to  watch  the  majority  of  a  million  people,  who  were 
all  apparently  struggling  "to  get  something  for  nothing." 

It  will  be  recalled  that  in  the  beginning  it  was  estimated  that  relief 
would  be  necessary  until  the  31st  of  December,  1899,  and  its  ending 
would  be  marked  by  the  arrival  of  the  bananas,  or  money  in  some 
form,  and  on  November  16  the  following  circular  letter  was  issued: 

Referring  to  the  issue  of  rations  to  needy  proprietors,  you  are  respectfully 
informed  that  such  rations  are  to  be  issued  only  for  one  week  at  a  time,  and  that 
no  back  rations  will  be  issued.  This  board  does  not  intend  to  continue  the  issue 
of  rations  after  the  31st  of  December,  1899,  and  desires  to  materially  reduce  the 
issue  of  relief  supplies  after  December  1,  1899. 

But  neither  bananas  nor  money  appeared,  and  month  by  month  the 
time  of  closure  was  reluctant^  extended,  though  no  new  orders  to 
planters  were  issued. 

Finally,  early  in  March,  when  conditions  were  quite  as  bad  as  any 
time  during  the  course  of  the  work,  the  following  was  received  by  the 
military  governor : 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 

Washington,  February  27,  1899. 

SIR:  I  have  to-day  telegraphed  you  as  follows:  "I  have  ordered  500  tons  pro- 
visions shipped  by  next  transport.  You  are  authorized  to  largely  increase  issues 
of  rations  through  coffee  planters  to  all  persons  who  will  work  on  their  planta- 
tions. Further  explanation  by  mail."  A  great  deal  of  delay  will  evidently  ensue 
before  final  action  by  Congress  on  legislation  to  Porto  Rico,  and  it  is  evident  that 
we  ought  to  give  such  relief  as  is  possible  in  the  meantime.  We  have  about 
$1,700,000  of  the  War  Department  emergency  fund  placed  at  the  discretion  of  the 
President  by  Congress  at  the  last  session,  and  out  of  which  we  have  been  paying 
for  the  rations  already  furnished.  The  Senate  Committee  on  Porto  Rico  is 
desirous  that  a  considerable  portion  of  this  should  be  applied  toward  the  relief  of 
the  distress  and.  if  possible,  securing  much-needed  work  on  the  coffee  plantations; 
and  to  secure  this  they  have  unanimously  reported  to  the  Senate  a  proposed  amend- 
'ment  to  their  bill  to  provide  civil  government  authorizing  the  new  government  to 
issue  bonds  "  and  to  reimburse  the  United  States  tor  all  moneys  which  have  been, 
or  may  be,  expended  out  of  the  emergency  fund  of  the  War  Department  for  the 
relief  work  of  the  industrial  conditions  of  the  island  caused  by  the  hurricane  of 
August  8,  1899."  This,  of  course,  carries  an  approval  of  the  application  of  the 
emergency  fund  for  the  purpose  indicated,  and  we  have  secured  the  assent  of  the 
President  to  further  expenditures  on  a  liberal  scale. 

Mr.  Amadeo  informs  me  that  work  is  now  being  done  to  some  extent  on  60  per 
cent  of  the  coffee  plantations  of  the  island,  and  that  this  has  been  made  possible 
by  the  distribution  through  the  coffee  planters  to  the  laborers,  who  have  really 
worked  on  the  plantations  for  the  rations. 

I  suggest  for  your  consideration,  with  your  greater  practical  knowledge  of  the 
conditions,  that  this  method  should  be  extended;  that  communication  should  be 
opened  with  the  owners  of  the  other  plantations,  so  far  as  practicable,  and  that 
a  regular  system  be  inaugurated  of  furnishing  rations  through  the  coffee  planters 
to  laborers  who  will  put  the  plantations  in  the  necessary  condition  for  raising 
coffee;  that  this  should  be  done  to  as  great  an  extent  as  rations  can  be  made  prac- 
tically effective  in  producing  this  result,  thus  at  the  same  time  feeding  the  hungry 
and  securing  the  improvement  of  the  plantations,  and  that  you  take  from  the 
planters  an  obligation  to  pay  to  the  government  of  Porto  Rico  the  value  of  the 
rations,  with  the  proper  proportion  of  the  cost  of  distribution,  with  interest, 
within  some  specified  time,  the  obligation  to  be  a  charge  against  the  land  or  the 
crop,  or  both.  Mr.  Amadeo  thinks  tiiat  this  would  be  effective.  If  in  your  judg- 
ment it  would  be,  you  are  authorized  to  take  such  action,  making  such  modifi- 
cations in  the  plan  as  appear  to  you  to  be  desirable  and  regulating  your  expenditures 
for  the  time  being  upon  the  basis  of  the  application  of,  say,  $1,000,000. 
Very  respectfully, 

ELIHU  ROOT,  Secretary  of  War. 

Brig.  Gen.  GEORGE  W.  DAVIS, 

Military  Governor  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R, 

19709—01 17 


258   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


At  the  time  of  the  receipt  of  the  above  letter  rations  were  being 
issued  to  planters  as  follows : 


Divisions. 

Agree- 
ments. 

Rations. 

Divisions. 

mSS    Rations' 

Arecibo  

71 

5,62ti 

Mayaguez 

140            7  554 

Aguadilla  

1 

10 

Manati 

402          15  807 

Aibonito 

'>! 

775 

Ponce 

1<>4            9  63ft 

Ad  juntas 

43 

947 

San  Juan 

7d            3  030 

Aguas  Buenas  

23 

1,293 

San  German  -  . 

8               157 

Bayamon 

3U2 

8  803 

Humacao  _ 

5 

235 

Total 

1  155          53  828 

"     . 

Already  hundreds  of  thousands  of  pounds  of  food  had  been  gratui- 
tously issued  to  planters,  and,  aside  from  the  complicated  legal  machin- 
ery involved  in  the  execution  of  the  scheme  proposed  by  Mr.  Amadeo, 
it  seemed  that  for  the  comparatively  short  time  it  would  be  necessary 
to  carry  on  the  relief  the  plan  already  in  operation  had  better  be  con- 
tinued. Moreover,  in  the  opinion  of  this  board,  if  money  was  avail- 
able, it  was  far  better  to  give  it  to  the  peon  for  his  labor  on  the  public 
roads  than  to  sell  it  to  the  planter  in  the  form  of  food,  perhaps  to  be 
reconverted  into  money,  and  thus  fail  to  subserve  the  very  aim  and 
object  of  the  appropriation. 

In  this  view  of  the  case  the  military  governor  sent  the  following 
cable : 

SAN  JUAN,  March  13,  1900. 
SECRETARY  OF  WAR,  Washington: 

Your  letter  February  27  received  to-day.  I  recommend  that,  until  all  the  coffee 
farms  are  cleared,  the  distribution  to  planters  be  continued  under  present  scheme. 
*  *  *  This  will  take  about  two  months  and  cost  about  $250,000  in  food  and 
transportation.  Meantime  contracts  may  be  let  for  road  work  covering  $750.000r 
work  to  begin  within  a  month  and  continue  for  about  eight  months.  This,  I 
believe,  will  relieve  the  distress  and  enable  all  coffee  planters  to  clean  up.  To 
stop  issues  on  present  plan,  which  involves  no  cash  payments  by  beneficiaries,  and 
now  demand  lien  on  property  of  same  and  other  planters  to  secure  food  will  be 
attended  with  great  difficulty,  discontent,  and  irritation.  •  Expenditures 

on  roads  in  employment  surplus  labor  is  best  method  of  relief  I  can  suggest. 
Such  investment  of  capital  gives  visible  and  permanent  assets. 

In  almost  every  municipality  are  some  scores,  hundreds,  or  thousands  of  hun- 
gry people  who  are  still  being  fed,  and  must  continue  to  be  or  they  will  starve. 
Many  are  unable  to  labor  or  go  where  labor  can  be  secured. 

G-EO.  W.  DAVIS,  Brigadier-General. 

The  foregoing  plan  was  approved  and  the  board  immediately  pro- 
ceeded to  increase  its  office  force  to  meet  the  impending  avalanche  of 
applications.  What  the  mere  clerical  work  demanded  by  the  hand- 
ling of  11,604  applications  was  may  be  somewhat  appreciated  when  it 
is  noted  that  each  application  required  the  writing  of  15  different 
papers. 

To  be  sure,  most  of  them  were  more  or  less  in  print.  But.  the  mere 
handling  and  rehandling  of  175,000  papers  is  no  small  job. 

The  work  which  devolved  upon  the  inspectors  in  investigating  the 
applicants  was  very  irksome  and  unsatisfactory,  and  the  difficulties 
which  surrounded  them  were  oftentimes  almost  insurmountable — so 
much  so,  indeed,  that  to  the  delay  and  nonarrival  of  these  reports 
may,  in  the  largest  measure,  be  attributed  the  inability  of  this  board 
to  enter  into  agreements  with  a  larger  number  of  planters. 

Moreover,  several  of  the  most  zealous  inspectors  were  so  strongly 
impressed  with  the  conviction  that  planters'  relief  was  at  this  time 
unnecessary  and  simply  a  temptation  to  fraud  that  they  disapproved 
all  applications  of  this  character. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        259 

On  March  22  the  board  addressed  the  following  communication: 

MILITARY  GOVERNOR  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

GENERAL:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  in  accordance  with  your  instruc- 
tions this  board  is  completing  the  necessary  inquiries  to  enable  it  to  supply  food 
to  some  3,000  additional  coffee  farmers,  who  have  not  yet  directly  been  supplied 
with  food,  to  enable  them  to  get  labor  to  clear  their  farms.  It  is  presumed  that 
this  will  require  an  additional  issue  of  100.000  rations  daily.  If,  then,  we  con- 
tinue to  issue  to  the  planters  now  receiving,  the  total  requirements  on  this  account 
will  be  200,000  rations  daily,  and  if  we  add  to  this  500  rations  for  the  chronic  poor 
for  each  of  the  70  municipalities.  35,000  rations,  we  find  that  the  extreme  demand 
will  be  117  tons  daily  or  ^35,000  rations. 

So  large  an  amount  of  food  has  not  yet  been  required,  and  it  is  not  believed  that 
the  demand  will  exceed  or  even  equal  500  tons  weekly;  nevertheless  it  will  not  be 
far  from  this  amount.  The  board  believes  that  the  continuance  of  this  very  unde- 
sirable, but  under  the  circumstances  most  necessary,  method  of  relief  should  be 
brought  to  a  conclusion  at  the  earliest  practicable  date. 

Each  month  since  the  beginning  of  the  year  we  have  announced  that  the  food 
distribution  would  cease  with  the  month,  only  to  find  that  the  new  month  brought 
no  relief  to  the  distressing  situation,  and  we  must  continue  a  form  of  assistance 
most  demoralizing  to  the  people  but  absolutely  necessary  to  preserve  them  from 
death  by  starvation. 

The  seventeen  weeks  we  estimated  that  relief  would  be  necessary  are  now 
rapidly  extending  to  eight  months,  and  the  end  is  not  yet. 

We  trust,  sir,  that  the  time  has  now  come  when  the  board  can  authoritatively 
announce  a  date  after  which  no  food  will  be  issued,  and  we  beg  that  you  will 
inform  us  accordingly. 

The  first  indorsement  from  the  governor  read :  * 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  board  of  charities. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  military  governor  that,  under  the  authority  of  the  Presi- 
dent, as  conveyed  in  the  inclosed  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  War  (February  27), 
issues  should  continue  to  the  helpless  poor  until  such  time  as  it  is  known  that  relief 
in  some  active  form  is  reaching  the  needy.  In  other  words,  it  is  desired  that  at 
present  food  issues  be  continued  to  those  whose  starvation  would  otherwise  result, 
and  to  the  extent  of  saving  their  lives.  The  proposal  of  the  board  to  add  to  the 
list  of  coffee  planters  the  names  of  those  who  have  not  hitherto  been  assisted  is 
approved,  and  the  help  given  to  the  previously  assisted  planters  should  be  discon- 
tinued as  rapidly  as  practicable. 

The  aggregate* of  issues  weekly  should  not  exceed  500  tons  of  all  kinds,  this  to 
be  reduced  as  it  may  be  found  practicable  to  do  so. 

Let  requisitions  be  made  on  the  Department  for  such  additional  medicines  as 
may,  in  the  judgment  of  the  board,  be  necessary  for  three  or  four  months;  and  as 
some  time  must  elapse  before  requisitions  for  medicines  can  be  filled,  recourse 
should  be  had  to  medical'  supplies  in  the  hands  of  local  druggists  at  the  best  pur- 
chase rates  obtainable. 

The  military  governor  does  not  believe  that  it  will  be  practicable  to  wholly  dis- 
continue food  and  medicine  issues  before  the  1st  of  July,  though  the  volume  of 
issues  can  probably  be  greatly  reduced  below  500  tons  per  week. 

By  direction  of  the  military  governor: 

J.  S.  BATTLE,  Aid-de-Camp. 

The  necessity  for  careful  investigation  is  illustrated  in  the  following 
letter: 

I  have  the  honor  to  call  your  attention  to  the  exceeding  discrepancies  between 
the  statements  made  by  applicants  for  charity  and  the  records  of  the  municipality. 
As  far  as  I  can  understand,  the  better  class  of  people  do  not  apply,  while  the  lazy 
and  shiftless  are  most  urgent  in  their  appeals  for  charity  that  should  have  become 
unnecessary  long  since.  I  would  recommend  some  system  of  investigation  before 
issuing  rations  to  this  class,  many  of  whom  are  evidently  making  false  statements 
in  their  efforts  to  get  free  rations. 

As  to  the  amount  of  rations  to  be  issued,  I  would  suggest  that  this  be  settled  in 
your  office,  as  I  have  forwarded  you  the  necessary  information  for  deciding  upon 
the  matter.  As  yet  I  have  no  idea  what  amount  of  rations  should  be  estimated  for. 

The  applications  will  be  forwarded  promptly  to  you,  with  the  information  as  to 
the  land  actually  owned  and  actually  cultivated,  and  the  actual  products  thereof, 


260       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

as  shown  by  the  records  of  the  municipality.    The  sentiment  of  this  community 
is  against  the  further  issue  of  free  rations. 

In  the  management  of  the  depots  and  issues  the  officer  on  the  ground 
had  the  widest  liberty.  He  was  authorized  to  suspend  issues  to  planters 
at  any  time  when  in  his  judgment  such  were  no  longer  necessary  or 
the  agreement  was  not  being  observed. 

As  the  agreements  were  rarely  observed,  this  arbitrary  power  was 
never  a  cause  for  legitimate  complaint,  and  indeed  it  was  seldem  exer- 
cised when  the  conditions  did  not  clearly  demand  it. 

In  certain  of  the  municipalities  the  authorities  made  every  effort  to 
facilitate  the  applications  of  their  constituents  by  having  blanks 
printed  and  furnishing  all  required  information. 

In  one  case  the  board  was  so  impressed  with  this  fact,  and  some 
information  it  had  received  from  various  sources  that  the  facilitating 
of  planters'  applications  had  become  a  business,  that  the  following 
letter  was  sent : 

The  board  is  receiving  a  large  number  of  applications  from  planters,  such  as 
inclosed,  which  someone  has  gone  to  the  trouble  to  have  printed. 

The  board  will  be  glad  to  have  you  investigate  the  matter,  with  view  to  ascer- 
taining if  any  charge  is  made  for  having  these  applications  filled  up. 

To  which  answer  was  received  as  follows: 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  investigated  the  subject  of  your  let- 
ter of  the  28th  of  March,  1900,  and  have  the  following  report  to  make:  The  alcalde 
of  Bayamon  and  the  leaders  of  the  Republican  party  here  had  the  blank  forms 
printed,  and  sent  them  out  into  the  surrounding  districts  with  a  letter,  saying  for 
all  Republicans  who  had  not  received  rations  to  fill  out  the  blanks  and  send  them 
to  San  Juan. 

As  far  as  I  can  learn  there  is  no  charge  made  for  the  blank  forms. 

From  which  it  would  appear  to  have  been  a  matter  of  politics,  not 
business. 

The  interest  taken  by  some  of  the  local  officials  in  forwarding  that 
of  their  constituents  resulted  in  giving  certain  districts  an  apparently 
disproportionately  Jarge  number  of  "contracting"  planters.  This 
condition  was  also  contributed  to  by  those  of  the  division  inspectors  of 
relief,  who,  more  deeply  impressed  with  the  need  of  this  form  of  relief, 
were  more  general  in  their  approval  of  the  applications  referred  to 
them. 

As  f  requentty  stated,  this  board  made  it  a  rule  to  accept  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  officer  in  loco  as  its  safest  course,  though  it  was 
sometimes  difficult  to  reconcile  the  varying  opinions  of  those  whose 
districts  were  within  almost  a  stone's  throw  of  each  other. 

In  reopening  and  extending  relief  to  planters  the  board  availed  itself 
of  the  services  of  Mr.  Seijo,  of  Utuado,  whose  assistance  in  investi- 
gating the  applications  from  planters  in  Utuado  was  much  appreciated. 

On  March  30  he  wrote  as  follows: 

I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  I  have,  instead  of  making  separate  report  for  each 
petitioner,  made  a  whole  one  up  to  this  date,  and  which  contains  the  real  data 
taken  from  the  municipal  record  books,  although  they  have  larger  amount  of  acres 
tinder  cultivation. 

I  recommend  that  should  Mr.  Benito  Quevedo  and  Mr.  Louis  Egeral  make  an 
application  for  food,  to  grant  the  same. 

I  would  invite  your  attention  to  the  indorsements  on  contracts  returned,  inclosed, 
of  Mr.  Jose  Rubert  and  Gnmersindo  Quiiiones,  also  to  that  communication  from 
Antonio  Irizarri,  and  would  respectfully  ask  whether  those  planters  who  have 
not  received  the  rations  noted  in  agreement  can  claim  them  from  the  new  supply? 

This  was  replied  to  as  follows: 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  yours  of  30th  ultimo,  and  to  return 
you  here  with  separate  applications  to  be  signed  by  each  applicant,  with  a  letter  of 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   261 

recommendation  to  be  filled  in  and  signed  in  duplicate.  Please  return  all  these 
papers  completed  to  this  office. 

Planters  who  have  agreements  can  present  them  to  the  commanding  officer, 
Arecibo,  and  secure  food  if  the  commanding  officer  deems  necessary.  A  certificate 
from  you  would  be  of  assistance  to  him  and  them. 

No  back  rations  will  be  issued. 

It  was  out  of  the  question  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with  a  planter 
without  investigating  him,  and  this  was  often  found  almost  impossible. 
April  6,  1900,  the  following  petition  was  referred  to  the  board: 

BARRANQUITAS,  March  81, 1900. 
MANUEL  CARVAJOL  et  al. : 

Respectfully  explain  the  disastrous  agricultural  and  social  conditions  of  the 
locality,  and  request  the  Government  to  afford  them  means  and  relief. 

There  are  a  large  number  of  small  farmers  who  own  coffee  plantations  and 
should  be  helped  with  provisions  to  feed  a  certain  number  of  laborers. 

Impulse  should  also  be  given  to  public  works,  as  a  means  of  giving  work  to  the 
idle. 

There  is  a  great  need  of  a  road  connecting  this  town  with  the  "Central  Road," 
and  good  work  might  be  done  in  this  sense. 

This  was  referred  to  the  division  inspector  of  Aibonito,  and  returned 
with  the  following  indorsement: 

I  am  issuing  about  2.500  rations  weekly  at  Barranquitas,  which  is  all  that  I  can 
pack  over.  Am  working  about  300  men.  At  least  150  are  working  in  the  Aibonito 
district  and  are  drawing  rations  from  that  point.  If  rations  were  issued  only  to 
those  who  need  them,  3,000  rations  weekly  would  be  sufficient  to  carry  these  peo- 
ple through  until  bananas  and  plantains  are  plentiful,  which  will  not  be  until  June. 

As  to  the  plantation  owners,  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  they  need  assistance,  but 
it  is  hard  to  tell  who  needs  rations,  for  they  all  tell  the  same  pitiful  story,  and  I 
am  sorry  to  say  that  they  dp  not  hesitate  to  prevaricate.  Now.  if  one  is  issued 
rations  they  all  should  receive  them.  This  would  be  an  immense  undertaking, 
for  I  have  over  30,000  people  in  my  district. 

I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  as  long  as  we  can  not  feed  them  all,  we  had 
better  cut  the  planters  off  and  continue  to  issue  rations  as  we  have  been  doing. 
There  have  been  about  150  applications  for  rations  sent  me  to  investigate;  some  25 
are  from  Barranquitas,  while  most  of  the  others  are  from  Barros.  This  munici- 
pality has  a  population  af  about  15,000. 

I  have  recommended  with  a  few  exceptions  that  rations  be  issued  to  4  laborers 
for  25  acres  of  land  for  eight  weeks,  and  their  families  do  not  exceed  5  each.  I 
did  this  because  the  people  have  not  been  receiving  their  share  of  rations.  I  did 
not  think  at  the  time  there  would  be  so  many  applicants.  If  rations  were  issued 
to  ail  the  laborers  called  for  and  for  the  number  of  weeks  they  would  require 
them,  each  plantation  owner  would  receive  rations  for  at  least  15  laborers  and  they 
would  require  them  for  at  least  four  or  five  months.  They  do  not  hesitate  to  ask 
for  as  many  laborers  as  they  have  acres  of  land,  and  some  of  them  more.  About 
one-third  of  the  road  is  already  completed.  If  I  had  the  tools  which  I  asked  for 
March  25,  I  would  set  more  men  to  work,  but  probably  would  not  use  many  more 
rations.  I  have  no  trouble  in  getting  men  to  work. 

An  acknowledgement  was  sent  to  the  writers,  stating  that  food  would 
be  issued  to  the  planters  who  were  properly  recommended;  but  that 
this  board  had  nothing  to  do  with  roads,  which  are  controlled  by  the 
board  of  public  works. 

The  following  correspondence  shows  a  not  uncommon  phase  of  the 
work  which  made  it  oftentimes  exceedingly  disagreeable  to  our  officers. 
I  find  no  evidence  that  the  example  of  the  sons  of  Jacob,  who  in  time 
of  famine  went  up  into  Egypt  to  purchase  food,  had  any  effect  here. 
These  people,  whom  we  are  striving  with  might  and  main  to  help,  seem 
to  have  taken  it  as  a  right  rather  than  a  favor,  and  I  question  whether 
there  is  any  widespread  gratitude  to  the  United  States  for  all  that  they 
have  done,  but  rather  general  dissatisfaction  that  more  was  not  done. 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  I  have  so  far  been  able  to  draw  but  two  weeks' 
supply,  though  I  always  reported  to  the  relief  depot  every  week  without  fail.  The 
first  week  I  was  issued  1  bag  of  rice  and  37  pounds  codfish,  not  weighed.  The  sec- 
ond week  I  received  75  pounds  beans,  40  pounds  rice,  and  8  pounds  codfish,  which 
were  weighed  at  Mr.  Jose  Colon's  store. 


262       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

.  This  amount  is  not  sufficient,  and  I  can  not  comply  with  what  I  have  agreed  to. 
I  know  not  whether  these  irregularities  are  due  to  the  animosity  existing  on  the 
part  of  the  man  in  charge— Mr.  Britapaja — against  me,  or  are  merely  orders 
from  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico.  I  return  the  order  for  rations,  which 
may  be  canceled  in  case  the  board  refuses  to  modify  same. 

This  letter  was  referred  to  the  division  inspector,  and  returned  with 
the  following  indorsement : 

I  do  not  understand  the  man's  statements.  He  has  presented  himself  at  this 
office  but  twice,  and  has  drawn  his  full  allowance  each  time.  I  have  his  receipt 
for  both  issues  for  245  pounds  each.  I  trust  that  you  will  pay  no  further  atten- 
tion to  such  false  statements  as  these.  My  business'books  are  open  for  inspection, 
and  I  would  like  to  have  you  send  some  one  up  to  inspect  my  methods. 

I  have  no  scales,  but  we  can  guess  approximately  at  weights,  which,  under  the 
circumstances,  I  think  should  be  near  enough  measure.  I  can  not  always  be 
present  at  each  issue,  as  my  duties  in  the  custom-house  take  me  away,  but  I  make 
it  a  point  to  spend  a  portion  of  each  day  superintending  the  issue.  The  interpre- 
ter is  a  man  I  have  the  utmost  confidence  in. 

April  4  the  division  inspector,  Manati,  reported  as  follows : 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith,  some  of  the  applications  for  contracts 
from  Manati,  with  my  recommendations  on  the  last  page  of  each  application. 

The  signature  appearing  above  mine  is  that  of  the  alcalde  of  Manati.  to  whom 
all  applications  in  this  municipality  were  referred  for  remarks  concerning  the 
official  records. 

I  do  not  favor  the  issuing  of  any  more  rations  on  contracts,  other  than  on  those 
now  approved  as  1  believe  that  this  new  list  will  be  as  hard  to  discontinue  as 
the  old  one  has  been.  I  am  now  issuing  rations  to  alcaldes  and  comisarios  of 
barrios,  and  I  believe  this  plan  is  working  very  well.  There  is  much  fraud  per- 
petrated under  the  contract  system,  and  I  do  not  believe  in  50  per  cent  of  the 
cases  that  the  peons  get  what  they  are  entitled  to. 

There  are  many,  too,  living  on  the  farms  of  contractors  who  are  also  drawing 
rations  as  proprietors. 

I  have  given  the  people  of  this  locality  to  understand  that  all  rations  will  cease 
on  April  30,  and  do  not  believe  in  issuing  contracts  extending  beyond  that  date 
under  any  conditions.  Bananas  will  be  quite  plentiful  by  that  time,  and  work  on 
the  roads  in  the  eastern,  western,  and  southern  sections  of  the  division  begun,  so 
that  all  rations  then  necessary  to  be  issued  can  be  done  by  alcades  and  comisarios. 

If  they  misapply  the  rations  they  are  responsible  to  the  people  and  no  one  else. 

The  inclosed  24  applications  for  contracts  are  only  a  few  that  I  have  had  time  to 
investigate.  I  still  have  some  575  new  applications,  which  I  will  forward  as  soon 
as  I  can  give  them  my  attention,  but  as  I  have  before  stated  this  will  be  followed  by 
another  flood  of  similar  applications  from  others  who  have  not  made  them,  pro- 
vided there  are  any  proprietors  left  who  have  not  done  this.  I  inclose  herewith 
a  letter  from  the  alcade  of  Vega  Baha  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  the  3,000  rations 
sent  him  to  work  his  unemployed. 

In  his  letter  he  says  nothing  about  there  being  many  in  that  condition  in  his 
municipality,  nor  did  he  when  I  passed  through  that  town  about  two  weeks  ago. 

I  had  one  delegation  of  unemployed  here.  The  entire  delegation  was  put  to 
work  on  the  target  range  for  a  few  days,  and  I  have  not  seen  a  delegation  since. 

In  regard  to  your  telegram  concerning  transportation  of  supplies  here.  I  have 
four  or  five  army  wagons  here  and  can  readily  transfer  60,000  rations  weekly  from 
the  depot  to  the  storehouse  with  them.  You  will  probably  have  a  complaint  from 
the  person  that  has  been  drawing  some  §200  a  month  for  his  services  that  enough 
rations  have  not  been  issued  here,  and  also  from  the  French  Railway  Company, 
but  this  is  but  natural.  I  am  endeavoring  to  get  rations  to  the  needy,  and  to  keep 
them  away  from  the  rich  and  those  who  do  not  need  them  or  dispose  of  them  as 
soon  as  drawn.  These  last  two  are  much  more  difficult  to  do  than  the  first,  but  I 
hope  to  succeed  in  both  before  many  weeks. 

The  following  report  is  of  interest  as  illustrating  conditions  in  the 
more  easterly  section  of  the  island: 

HATO  GRANDE,  P.  R.,  April  0, 1900. 
The  COMMANDING  OFFFICER, 

Post  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  within-inclosed  report  of  the  inspection  of 
planters,  district  of  Hato  Grande,  P.  R.,  who  are  receiving  aid  from  the  Govern- 
ment. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        263 

All  planters  named  in  this  report  live  in  the  barrio  of  Quebrada  Arens,  which  is 
one  of  the  poorest  of  this  district,  they  being  small  planters  having  from  2  to  6 
men  working. 

.  I  had  an  interview  with  the  planters  of  this  barrio  Saturday  last  and  inter- 
viewed the  men  working  for  them  on  Sunday  and  Tuesday,  and  find  the  men 
satisfied  with  what  they  get  in  rations,  but  in  many  cases  the  planters  have  neg- 
lected to  give  the  acre  of  ground  allowed  them,  but  they  are  hastening  to  do  so 
since  they  find  there  is  an  investigation  being  made. 

In  the  case  of  planter  590,  he  has  given  the  acre  allowed  by  law,  but  the  work- 
men state  that  they  must  give  one-half  of  the  products  of  this  1  acre  to  the  planter. 
I  find  the  same  case  with  planter  616,  who  only  gave  the  acre  to  the  workmen  since 
J  made  the  investigation  one  week  ago. 

While  in  many  cases  these  planters  have  not  lived  up  to  their  agreements,  as  far 
as  giving  the  workmen  a  piece  of  ground,  the  workman  himself  seems  to  be  satis- 
fied, and  to  stop  the  issue  of  rations  in  any  of  these  cases  would  cause  a  great  deal 
of  suffering  among  the  working  class,  as  the  planters,  as  far  as  it  is  able  to  find 
out,  have  no  money  to  work  their  ground. 

Will  submit  report  of  other  cases  as  soon  as  I  can  get  information. 
Very  respectfully, 

DANL.  BROSE, 
Corporal,  Company  I,  Eleventh  Infantry,  Commanding  Relief  Station. 

Had  it  been  practicable  to  make  as  close  an  investigation  into  all 
cases  as  was  done  in  the  following,  a  much  more  accurate  knowledge 
of  the  facts  might  have  been  obtained;  but  if  anyone  was  starving, 
what  would  he  have  done  in  the  meantime? 

HENRY  BARRACKS,  Cayay,  P.  R.,  Aprils,  1900. 
POST  ADJUTANT: 

SIR:  In  compliance  with  instructions  contained  in  your  letter  of  the  5th  instant, 
I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  I  have  personally  investigated  the  circumstances 
of  Senor  Juan  Jose  Baldrich,  planter,  living  about  3  miles  from  Cayay,  with  a 
view  of  continuing  the  aid  now  rendered  him  in  the  way  of  relief  supplies  by  the 
board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

From  a  thorough  investigation  of  his  affairs  and  from  his  own  statements,  I  am 
of  the  opinion  that  the  issue  of  rations  to  the  gentleman  named  should  cease  at 
once,  for  the  following  reasons: 

Baldrich  owns  in  his  own  right  and  name  the  following  list  of  property,  which 
he  claims  is  clear  of  incumbrances  of  any  kind  or  character:  Six  hundred  cuerdas 
of  good  land,  15  horses,  125  cattle,  and  a  lot  of  miscellaneous  personal  property. 

He  claims  not  to  owe  a  dollar  in  the  world,  and  he  evidently  has  some  money, 
for  he  is  paying  his  peons  25  centavos  and  Government  rations  per  day.  Prior  to 
the  hurricane  he  paid  the  same  amount  and  rationed  the  men  and  their  families. 

Since  the  hurricane  he  has  cleared  the  portion  of  his  coffee  not  destroyed  which 
he  claims  to  have  in  good  shape,  and  he  has  planted  other  products  until  he  now 
claims  100  cuerdas  coffee,  80  cuerdas  bananas,  breadfruit,  etc.,  4  cuerdas  yautias, 
6  cuerdas  ready  for  rice,  corn,  etc. 

I  traveled  over  a  good  portion  of  his  land,  and  believe  he  has  approximately  the 
amounts  claimed  in  cultivation.  He  has  been  through  his  entire  crop  and  cleaned 
it  out  once  and  is  now  ready  to  begin  the  second  time,  which  will  be  all  the  culti- 
vation necessary  until  harvest  time.  He  states  that  he  has  been  drawing  rations 
for  sixty  days,  and  he  has  certainly  made  good  use  of  them,  .judging  from  the 
appearance  of  his  plantation.  He  admits  that  he  would  require  about  a  1,000- 
pesps  expenditure  for  him  to  complete  his  crop  if  the  rations  were  stopped,  and 
insists  that  he  must  have  rations  for  six  months  longer  to  prevent  the  men  who  are 
now  working  his  place  from  starving.  In  my  opinion  this  man  has  sufficient  stock 
to  enable  him  to  raise  the  1,000  pesos  necessary  to  complete  his  crop. 
Very  respectfully, 

F.  HAWES, 
Lieutenant,  Porto  Rico,  U.  S.  V. 

He  is  drawing  rations  for  25  or  30  laborers  and  families. 

April  12  the  division  inspector,  Humacao,  wrote: 

I  have  the  honor  to  return  to  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  the  following 
applications  for  rations  with  the  recommendation  that  no  supplies  be  issued,  for 
reasons  hereafter  enumerated: 

The  applications  inclosed  are  numbered  as  follows:  5060,  5061-2-3-4-5-6-7-8, 
5091-3-4,  5150-1,  6362,  6554. 


264       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

All  applicants,  except  5612,  live  in  or  near  the  barrio  of  Guanabota.  in  the  hills- 
or  mountains  northwest  of  Yabucoa.  I  made  a  personal  visit  of  inspection  to 
about  two- thirds  of  the  applicants,  seeing  them,  their  lands,  and  their  surround- 
ings. The  list  of  applicants  was  prepared  by  a  Mr.  Nicasio  Ortiz,  known  as  the 
comisario  of  the  barrio  of  Guanabota.  The  local  board  of  Yabucoa,  who  rec- 
ommended all  of  the  applicants,  except  three,  whom  Mr.  Ortiz  recommends,  a 
member  informed  me,  made  no  personal  investigation  of  these  cases,  but  appar- 
ently relied  upon  Mr.  Ortiz.  It  was  noticed  that  Mr.  Ortiz  selected  the  names  of 
men  near  his  own  place,  although  as  far  as  might  be  judged  from  appearances 
every  man  in  the  hill  country  cultivating  a  few  acres  might  with  equal  propriety 
have  been  listed.  I  visited  and  viewed  about  a  half  dozen  different  proprietors, 
whose  owners  are  among  the  inclosed  applicants,  as  well  as  many  more  who  are 
not  applicants,  and  found  the  same  general  conditions  to  obtain  throughout  not 
only  the  barrio  of  Guanabota  but  also  Calaboza  and  adjacent  country. 

The  amount  of  land  claimed  to  be  under  cultivation  was  in  many  cases  grossly 
exaggerated,  and  as  a  rule  the  rations  asked  for  were  for  the  men;  usually  mem- 
bers of  the  family  living  on  the  small  plantations  or  farms. 

The  losses  by  the  "  tornaenta  "  were  generally  grossly  exaggerated.  The  country 
looks  well  and  1  have  no  doubt  is  in  just  about  its  normal  condition,  with  the 
exception  of  the  banana,  which  will  begin  to  be  ready  for  consumption  in  a  short 
time,  the  plants  being  now  well  grown  and  apparently  ready  to  fruit.  It  would 
be  tedious  to  go  over  all  the  many  cases  investigated,  therefore  I  will  select  one, 
as  it  is  typical — 5150. 

He  reports  39  acres  of  land  under  cultivation,  chiefly  in  minor  products;  loss 
from  hurricane,  §250;  required  4  laborers  to  work  his  farm. 

I  found  that  he  had  only  4  acres  under  cultivation — 1  in  rice,  1  in  beans,  and  2 
in  corn.  Where  his  loss  lor  $250  could  have  come  I  was  at  a  loss  to  see.  His 
house  did  not  seem  to  be  destroyed.  He  was  not  a  proprietor  in  the  sense  of  the 
circular  letter  of  September  14,  1899.  He  was  and  is  a  small  farmer,  managing  to 
raise  a  bare  subsistence  for  his  family  with  a  minimum  of  work,  Others  had  the 
same  amount  under  cultivation,  varying  the  proportion  of  sweet  potatoes,  rice, 
corn,  beans,  malangas.  and  gautinas,  and  frequently  an  acre  or  more  of  bananas- 
and  sometimes  a  pig  or  two  or  a  chicken. 

The  sweet  potatoes  are  just  being  harvested  and  upon  them  the  people  depend 
almost  entirely.  They  are  easily  raised  and  a  sure  crop. 

I  saw  every  indication  of  laziness  and  nc  indication  of  starvation.  Work  can 
be  had  in  the  sugar  plantations  in  the  valleys,  and  is  taken  advantage  of  by  the 
best  element  of  the  mountain  dwellers. 

While  the  district  is  very  poor,  there  is  no  real  suffering.  An  issue  of  rations 
would,  in  my  opinion,  be  detrimental  to  the  small  incentive  they  now  feel  to  work 
for  any  more  than  they  need  for  the  time  being. 

Should  these  supplies  be  granted  the  whole  district  might,  with  equal  justice,  be 
put  on  the  food  list. 

I  venture  the  statement  that  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States  food  is  harder 
to  procure  and  work  is  more  difficult  to  get  than  in  the  barrio  of  Guanabota. 

April  21  Captain  Wheeler  wrote  from  Aibonito  as  follows: 

I  return  herewith  certain  applications  for  rations  recommending  that  the  rations 
be  issued  for  eight  weeks  at  the  rate  of  1  laborer  to  about  6  acres  of  land,  and  their 
families  not  to  exceed  4  each.  This  will  give  each  laborer  4  rations,  or  about  3.278 
rations  weekly,  for  the  period  recommended,  provided  you  can  give  the  rations 
asked  for  over  and  above  the  10,000  allotted  me.  If  you  can  not  do  so,  then  I  recom- 
mend that  no  rations  be  issued  to  the  land  proprietors  (for  it  is  impossible  to  find 
out  the  deserving  ones).  They  all  tell  the  same  story  from  the  largest  landholder 
to  the  smallest,  and  do  not  hesitate  to  deceive  me. 

You  have  sent  me  152  applications  for  investigation.  They  ask  rations  for  800 
men  and  their  families  (an  average  of  one  laborer  to  every  If  acres  of  land)  for 
periods  running  from  twelve  to  forty-two  weeks,  or  on  an  average  of  20  weeks, 
which  would  require  about  6,400  rations.  I  am  satisfied  that  I  am  doing  as  well 
as  can  be  done  under  the  circumstances,  and  request  that  I  be  permitted  to  con- 
tinue as  I  have  been  doing.  If  I  am  to  feed  the  landowners,  then  I  must  have 
more  rations. 

If  the  local  board  of  charities  does  what  is  right  there  will  be  very  little  suffering. 

April  14  this  board  issued  the  following  circular  letter: 

Regarding  the  plan  of  distributing  food  to  the  planters,  this  board  had  in  view 
the  following  points: 
First.  To  feed  the  farm  laborers  and  their  families. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   265 

Second.  To  keep  them  on  the  farms  and  thus  prevent  an  exodus  to  the  towns, 

ith  the  consequent  added  misery,  expense,  threatened  epidemics,  and  death. 

Third.  To  get  the  food  widely  distributed  in  remote  places  which  could  hardly 

B  reached  except  through  the  assistance  of  the  coffee  planters. 

Fourth.  To  keep  the  peons  at  work  and  restore  the  farms  which  must  be  their 
future  source  of  livelihood. 

Fifth.  The  financial  status  of  the  planters  cuts  very  little  figure  in  the  matter. 
Many  of  these  who  have  means  have  already  cleared  up  their  farms  and  now  may 
have  no  occasion  to  employ  their  laborers  further.  Ordinarily  these  would  fall 
back  upon  the  fruits  of  the  country  for  subsistence,  but  as  the  bananas  and  plan- 
tains have  not  yet  matured  there  is  a  dearth  of  the  ordinary  supplies,  and  these 
people  must  be  fed  or  suffering  and  death  from  starvation  will  follow. 

This  board  proposes  to  use  the  local  boards  of  charities  to  distribute  food  to  the 
chronic  poor,  sick,  and  infirm.  They  will  draw  their  rations  from  the  nearest 
depots  on  formal  requisitions,  invoice  and  receipt,  and  will  forward  a  weekly 
report  of  distribution  to  this  board. 

Issue  to  planters  will  continue  as  now,  as  long  as,  in  the  judgment  of  the  divi- 
sion inspector,  the  same  may  be  necessary,  taking  into  consideration  the  points 
above  set  forth. 

This  board  is  anxious  to  stop  issues  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment,  but  it  is 
more  anxious  that  no  one  shall  starve  to  death. 

That  the  doctrine  that  charity  begins  at  home  has  a  foothold  in 
Porto  Rico  is  illustrated  by  the  following: 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  communications  from  the  board  of 
charities,  and  to  proffer  to  do  all  that  in  my  power  lies  to  relieve  my  neighbor. 

The  board  allows  me  a  certain  amount  of  provisions  for  the  sustenance  of  peons 
working  on  my  farm,  but  the  time  came  when  the  contract  expired  and  the  issue 
of  food  was  stopped.  My  farm  is  the  only  thing  I  have  to  depend  on  for  a  living, 
and  I  would  highly  appreciate  100  pounds  of  food  weekly  to  save  my  property 
from  absolute  destruction.  This  I  could  take  from  the  5,000  pounds  assigned  to 
the  chronic  poor.  I  would  also  state  that  the  amount  of  material  devoted  to  the 
poor,  etc.,  should  be  increased,  as  a  great  many  paupers  from  other  districts 
crowd  the  town  in  demand  of  assistance. 

The  following  case,  in  which  the  board  took  special  interest,  is  nar- 
rated to  show  that  the  best  intentions  are  often  misunderstood : 

Early  in  April  Mr.  Jaime  Annexy,  of  Utuado,  made  application  for 
provisions  under  the  needy  planters  plan  of  application,  which  took 
the  usual  course,  was  approved  by  all  references,  and  especially 
indorsed  by  General  Stone,  who  stated  that  Mr.  Annexy  had  been 
particularly  helpful  to  him  during  the  invasion  of  the  island,  and 
was  entitled  to  special  considerations. 

The  agreements  were  made  out  and  mailed  to  Mr.  Annexy  for  sig- 
nature, but  were  never  received  back.  Doubtless  they  lie  in  some 
post-office  in  Porto  Rico  this  moment.  Of  course  Mr.  Annexy  never 
got  the  requested  food,  as  set  forth  in  the  following  letter: 

UTUADO,  P.  R.,  May  15,  1900. 
Sr.  Dn.  ANDRES  CROSAS, 

President  Board  of  Charities  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

MY  DISTINGUISHED  FRIEND:  I  have  read  of  your  appointment  as  president  of 
the  board  of  charities  and  congratulate  you.  Please  direct  that  orders  be  given  to 
have  provisions  issued  me,  as  the  distribution  of  supplies  has  hitherto  been  so 
done  as  to  give  irritation  to  some. 

Don  Jaime  Iglesias  and  his  applications  have  been  pending  for  the  past  five 
months.     My  contracts  were  returned  signed  about  ten  days  ago. 
Very  respectfully, 

JAIME  AXNEKY. 

Mr.  Iglesias,  above  referred  to,  whom  also  General  Stone  recom- 
mended, had  signed  his  agreement  several  months  before  and  drawn 
food  on  it. 


266       REPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

• 

The  following  correspondence  shows  another  phase  of  planters 
relief: 

In  compliance  with  the  orders  of  the  board  of  charities  of  San  Juan,  we  respect- 
fully submit  the  following: 

We  had  a  farm  consisting  of  162  cuerdas,  and  having  125  cuerdas  of  said  farm 
planted  with  coffee  which  was  destroyed  by  the  hurricane  last  August,  and  not 
having  the  ready  money  in  hand  with  which  to  repair  said  damage,  we  made 
application  to  the  board  of  charities  at  San  Juan  for  rations  for  20  laborers.  The 
board  responded  and  gave  us  rations  for  only  5  laborers,  which  is  not  nearly  suffi- 
cient. The  first  week  we  accepted  and  kept  175  pounds  of  rations,  but  it  was 
greatly  insufficient. 

We  would  be  pleased  if  you  would  investigate  this  matter,  sending  a  commis- 
sion to  pur  farm  to  fully  investigate  the  matter,  and  would  be  pleased  if  you  will 
transmit  the  report  of  said  commission  to  the  board  of  charities  for  their  consid- 
eration. 

[First  indorsement.] 

Respectfully  forwarded  to  the  president  of  the  board  of  charities,  San  Juan, 
P.  R.  If  this  statement  is  true,  as  I  am  told  it  is,  I  would  have  recommended 
rations  for  more  than  20  laborers.  I  request  that  my  indorsement  on  this  applica- 
tion may  be  sent  me,  as  I  find  it  is  not  in  my  office;  it  is  possible  that  a  mistake 
has  been  made  in  this  case. 

[Second  indorsement.] 

Respectfully  returned.  Ration  order  was  issued  on  within  referred  to  applica- 
tion in  accordance  with  the  following  recommendation: 

"Respectfully  returned  to  the  president  of  the  board  of  charities, San  Juan. 
P.  R.  Approved  for  5  laborers  for  twelve  weeks." 

[Third  indorsement.] 

Respectfully  returned.  Approved  for  25  laborers.  A  mistake  was  made  in  this 
case. 

The  following  report  submitted  lay  Private  Furey,  Company  M, 
Eleventh  Infantry,  temporarily  in  charge  of  the  subdepot  at  Aguas 
Buenas,  gives  an  interesting  statement  of  the  condition  of  planters  in 
that  district : 

AGUAS  BUENAS,  P.  R.,  May  29,  1900. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  in  regard  to  applicants  for 
relief  as  distressed  proprietors: 

Application  No.  27W. 

Mr.  Gervaso  de  la  Vega,  barrio  of  Bairoa,  has  22^  acres  of  land,  7  acres  in  coffee, 
2  acres  in  bananas,  etc.  Requires  5  laborers  to  work  his  farm;  their  family  num- 
bers 19  persons.  I  believe  this  applicant  is  in  need  of  relief. 

Application  No.  5972. 

Mr.  Manuel  Revera,  barrio  of  Mulitas.  This  applicant  has  sold  his  plantation, 
therefore  he  does  not  need  relief. 

Application  No.  8868. 

Mr.  Pedro  Gonzalez,  barrio  of  Jayuyes,  has  30  acres  of  land,  3  acres  in  coffee,  3 
acres  in  bananas,  etc.  Requires  8  laborers  to  work  his  farm;  their  families  num- 
ber 24  persons.  I  believe  this  applicant  is  in  need  of  relief. 

Application  No.  9862. 

Mr.  Juan  Diaz  Latorre,  barrio  of  Mulitas.  has  107^  acres  of  land,  40  acres  in 
coffee,  25  acres  in  bananas,  etc. ,  4  acres  in  potatoes.  Requires  25  laborers  to  work 
his  farm;  their  families  number  76  persons.  I  believe  that  this  applicant  is  in 
need  of  relief. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   267 

Application  No.  8753. 

Mr.  Jose  Dolores  Diaz,  barrio  of  Cajuitas,  has  7|  acres  of  land,  3  acres  in  coffee, 
2  acres  in  bananas,  beans,  etc.  Requires  4  laborers  to  work  his  farm;  their  fami- 
lies number  12  persons.  I  believe  this  applicant  could  work  his  farm  without 
relief. 

Application  No.  8715. 

Mr.  Antoleni  Rodriquez,  barrio  of  Cajuitas,  has  25|  acres  of  land,  5  acres  in 
coffee,  5  acres  in  bananas,  2  acres  in  corn,  rice,  etc.  Requires  6  laborers  to  work 
his  farm;  their  families  number  24  persons.  I  believe  that  this  applicant  is  in 
need  of  relief. 

Application  No.  8749. 

Mr.  Juan  Ramos,  barrio  of  Cajuitas,  has  977  acres  of  land,  4  acres  in  coffee,  8 
acres  in  bananas,  18  acres  in  potatoes,  rice,  and  minor  products.  Requires  8  labor- 
ers to  work  his  farm;  their  families  number  63  persons.  I  believe  that  this  appli- 
cant is  in  need  of  relief. 

Application  No.  7583. 

Jose  Gracia,  barrio  of  Cajuitas,  has  5  acres  of  land  in  coffee,  bananas,  etc. 
Requires  3  laborers  to  work  his  farm;  their  families  number  22  persons.  I  believe 
this  applicant  could  work  his  farm  without  relief. 

Application  No.  9137. 

Mr.  Lorenzo  Rodriquez,  barrio  of  Jayuyes,  has  35  acres  of  land,  7  acres  in 
coffee,  4  acres  in  bananas,  etc.  Requires  5  laborers  to  work  his  farm.  Their  fam- 
ilies number  20  persons.  I  believe  that  this  applicant  is  in  need  of  relief. 

Application  No.  5366. 

Mr.  Manuel  Colon,  barrio  of  Juan  Asensio,  has  122£  acres  of  land,  29  acres  in 
coffee,  bananas,  corn,  etc.  Requires  4  laborers  to  work  his  farm.  Their  families 
number  31  persons.  I  believe  that  this  applicant  is  in  need  of  relief. 

Application  No.  6805. 

Mr.  Santiago  Medna,  barrio  of  Jayuyes,  has  16  acres  of  land,  4  acres  in  coffee, 
2-J  acres  in  bananas,  etc.  Requires  5  laborers  to  work  his  farm.  Their  families 
number  28  persons.  I  believe  this  applicant  is  in  need  of  relief. 

Application  No.  6307. 

Mr.  Juan  Hernandez  Aponte,  barrio  of  Sonadova,  has  14  acres  of  land,  3  acres 
in  coffee,  2  acres  in  bananas,  1  acre  in  potatoes,  etc.  Requires  5  laborers  to  work 
his  farm.  Their  families  number  12  persons.  I  believe  this  applicant  is  in  need 
of  relief. 

Very  respectfully,  PRIVATE  FUREY, 

Company  M,  Eleventh  Infantry,  in  charge  temporarily. 

May  29  this  office  issued  the  following  circular: 

The  following  letter  is  issued  for  your  information  and  guidence.  Please  make 
two  issues  to  planters  in  June,  and  continue  those  to  municipal  boards  of  chari- 
ties for  chronic  poor  and  infirm  until  the  supplies  on  hand  are  exhausted,  which 
will  be  about  the  middle  of  July. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  May  28,  1900. 
Hon.  CHARLES  H.  ALLEN, 

Governor  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  Referring  to  our  conversation  this  morning  respecting  the  discontinuance 
of  food  issues  to  planters  and  proceeding  in  accordance  with  your  advice  to  dis- 
continue such  issues,  a  course  which  my  own  judgment  approves,  I  have  the 
honor  to  advise  your  excellency  that  I  have  to-day  given  orders  forbidding  all 
issues  of  food  to  planters  after  June  15,  proximo,  and  that  no  more  new  names 
be  added  to  those  planters  receiving  subsistence  supplies. 

Very  respectfully,  G-.  W.  DAVIS, 

Brigadier-General,  Commanding. 


268   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  change  from  the  military  to  the  civil  government  caused  some 
misunderstanding  in  the  post-office  as  to  the  status  of  relief  work,  and 
as  an  unusual  amount  of  correspondence  was  at  that  time  being  had 
with  hundreds — indeed,  thousands — of  planters  under  the  Government 
frank,  an  embargo  was  placed  upon  all  letters  in  transit,  and  consid- 
erable delay,  if  not  actual  loss,  resulted.  The  following  letter  illus- 
trates the  situation : 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  herewith  four  letters  received  from  the  post- 
office,  Manati,  and  which  have  been  erroneously  rated  up  and  held  for  postage  by 
the  postman  ter  at  that  place.  I  have  called  on  the  postmaster  as  to  why  the  let- 
ters in  question  were  held  in  spite  of  the  general  orders  issued  on  the  subject. 

This  office  regrets  the  delay  to  the  inclosed  correspondence,  and  trusts  that  there 
be  no  repetition  of  the  occurrence  in  the  future. 

June  28  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  Porto  Rican  relief  addressed  the 
following  letter: 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  June  26, 1900. 
The  ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  Food  issues  to  planters  having  ceased,  I  have  the  honor  to  recommend  that 
the  houses  of  planters  be  inspected  to  ascertain  who,  if  any,  have  relief  supplies 
remaining  on  hand.     Should  any  be  found,  the  names  of  the  planters  should  be 
reported  to  the  proper  civil  authorities  for  the  necessary  action. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  in  Charge  of  Relief. 

•  [First  indorsement.] 

Respectfully  referred  to  the  governor  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

If  the  recommendations  of  Major  Hoff  are  approved,  I  would  recommend  that 
instructions  be  given  to  the  police  to  make  investigation  and  find  out  whether  any 
planters  have  not  been  issuing  the  rations  donated  to  them  for  distribution. 
Reports  received  would  indicate  that  such  has  been  the  case  in  some  instances.  If 
any  rations  are  found,  I  would  recommend  that  they  be  seized  by  the  police  and 
turned  over  to  the  boards  of  charity,  and  that  any  necessary  punitive  action  be  taken 
with  respect  to  violation  of  contract  obligations  which  may  be  disclosed  by  the 
investigation. 

GEO.  W.  DAVIS, 
Brigadier-General,  Commanding. 

[Second  indorsement.] 

Respectfully  returned  to  Brig.  Gen.  Geo.  W.  Davis,  commanding  the  Depart- 
ment of  Porto  Rico,  with  the  advice  that  instructions  given  to  the  chief  of  insular 
police  will  result,  it  is  hoped,  in  the  apprehension  of  any  persons  guilty  and 
deserving  punishment. 
By  direction  of  the  governor:  WILLIAM  H.  HUNT, 

Secretary. 
[Third  indorsement.] 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  Porto  Rican  relief,  San 
Juan.  P.  R.,  inviting  attention  to  preceding  indorsements. 
By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  E.  ALMY, 
Acting  Adjutant- General. 

The  results  following  the  plan  of  planters'  relief  may,  upon  the 
whole,  be  regarded  as  having  met  the  expectations  of  those  in  charge 
of  the  work. 

It  must  be  understood  that  at  the  time  of  its  inception  the  labor 
market  was  utterly  demoralized.  The  planters,  especially  in  the  cof- 
fee districts,  had  lost  everything  and  were  wholly  unable  to  borrow 
money  with  which  to  resurrect  their  estates. 

The  efforts  of  the  board  of  charities  and  local  authorities  to  make 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   269 


the  able-bodied  work  for  food  were  unavailing.  There  were  no  means 
in  the  insular  treasury  to  employ  labor  on  public  works,  and  pauper- 
ization and'  demoralization  of  the  poor  classes,  with  the  utter  ruin  of 
the  coffee  industry,  were  threatening. 

Something  had  to  be  done,  and  there  was  nothing  else  the  board 
could  do  but  take  the  planter  and  the  peon  into  partnership  for  their 
mutual  benefit.  In  theory  this  plan  would  feed,  house,  and  clothe 
the  peon  and  his  f amity,  and,  moreover,  it  would  furnish  him  with  a 
crop  of  food  for  future  use. 

It  would  reconstruct  the  farmer's  buildings  and  recultivate  his 
farms,  upon  the  products  of  which  his  future  and  that  of  his  farm 
hands  depended. 

From  the  standpoint  of  the  board  it  would  employ  labor  at  the  place 
where  it  belonged  and  prevent  the  concentration  of  paupers  in  the 
coast  cities.  It  would  bring  the  food  to  the  people  on  the  farms,  often 
so  inaccessibly  located  that  any  means  of  transportation  at  the  com- 
mand of  this  board  would  have  been  inadequate;  and,  finally,  it  would 
give  work  to  the  able-bodied  men,  whose  pauperization  would  mean 
ruination. 

It  may  be  said  that,  all  things  considered,  the  plan  has  worked  quite 
as  well  as  expected.  Porto  Rican  planters  are  no  more  to  be  depended 
upon  than  other  men.  To  be  sure,  each  of  them  signed  an  agreement 
to  do  certain  things,  which  agreement  was  not  generally  kept,  either 
in  the  letter  or  in  the  spirit.  It  doubtless  would  have  been  kept  if  it 
had  been  practicable  to  maintain  a  system  of  inspection,  but  the 
planters  were  too  many  and  often  too  inaccessible  for  our  men  to 
inspect  them,  even  if  we  knew  their  language  and  tricks,  which  we 
did  not.  We  were  forced  to  trust  them,  and  the  temptation  to  mis- 
application of  food  and  evasion  of  agreement  was  too  great  for  some 
to  resist. 

Many  farms  were  cleared  which  otherwise  would  not  have  been. 
Many  laborers  were  employed  who  under  any  circumstances  would 
have  had  to  be  fed,  and  thousands  of  people  were  kept  at  home  and 
alive. 

jr  All  planters'  applications,  with  the  papers  relating  thereto,  are  on 
file  in  the  office  of  the  Porto  Rican  relief.  A  complete  record  is 
entered  in  the  books  -of  the  office,  from  which  the  following  statistics 
were  compiled : 

Report  on  applications  received  from  planters  from  districts. 


Applica- 
tions re- 
ceived. 

Applica- 
tions 
acted 
upon. 

Acres 
under 
cultiva- 
tion. 

Ap- 
proved 
and 
agree- 
ments 
signed. 

Rations 
allowed 
per  day. 

Disap- 
proved. 

No  re- 
ply to 
confi- 
dential 
letter. 

No 
refer- 
ences. 

Refused 
to  sign 
or 
agree- 
ment 
not  re- 
turned. 

Adjuntas  

692 

540 

29,300 

300 

9,750 

33 

49 

56 

103 

Arroyo 

33 

8 

924 

5 

489 

2 

1 

9 

4 

840 

«> 

280 

2 

1 

1 

30 

,1 

Patillas  

151 

144 

1,878 

12 

12 

2 

10 

50 

70 

Total  

194 

157 

3,672 

19 

1,227 

2 

13 

53 

70 

Aibonito  

73 

63 

2,979 

14 

1,065 

5 

8 

22 

14 

Barros 

323 

246 

9,600 

124 

4,480 

13 

30 

19 

60 

Barranquitas 

53 

43 

1,767 

19 

796 

7 

8 

9 

Total  

449 

352 

14,346 

157 

6,341 

18 

45 

49 

83 

270   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


Report  on  applications  received  from  planters  from  districts— Continued. 


Applica- 
tions re- 
ceived. 

Applica- 
tions 
acted 
upon. 

Acres 
under 
cultiva- 
tion. 

Ap'. 
proved 

and 
agree- 
ments 
signed. 

Rations 
allowed 
per  day. 

Disap- 
proved. 

No  re- 
ply to 
confi- 
dential 
letter. 

No 

refer- 
ences. 

Refused 
to  sign 
or 
agree- 
ment 
not  re- 
turned. 

Aguadilla 

91 

76 

1,724 

4 

150 

6 

25 

9 

32 

Moca 

171 

30 

1,442 

1 

3 

$ 

18 

Aguada  

32 

3 

198 

1 

1 

1 

Rincon   

38 

8 

983 

1 

1 

4 

Isabela 

62 

10 

257 

4 

1 

1 

4 

Total  

394 

127 

4,604 

4 

150 

12 

31 

21 

59 

Arecibo 

458 

442 

17,  749 

138 

4,113 

102 

49 

70 

83 

Utuado 

1  055 

935 

40,519 

531 

16  609 

68 

56 

84 

196 

Hatillo  

96 

76 

1,632 

12 

175 

12 

2 

1 

49 

Camuy  .-,  

84 

47 

3,231 

2 

1 

43 

1 

Quebradillas 

69 

68 

1,079 

2 

65 

3 

6 

57 

Total  

1,762 

1,568 

64,210 

683 

20,962 

187 

108 

204 

386 

Bayamon 

479 

460 

6,259 

226 

4,628 

18 

98 

28 

90 

Toa  Baja 

3 

3 

76 

3 

Toa  Alta  

18 

15 

284 

6 

175 

1 

2 

1 

5 

Naranjito 

209 

204 

4,216 

100 

3,658 

8 

50 

6 

40 

Dorado 

13 

13 

306 

5 

328 

7 

1 

Corozal  

316 

303 

8,033 

30 

1,210 

10 

199 

14 

50 

Comerio 

192 

192 

6,479 

81 

3,905 

3 

77 

6 

25 

Total 

1  230 

1,190 

25,653 

448 

13  904 

40 

436 

56 

210 

76 

40 

2  134 

19 

1  067 

4 

7 

10 

Gurabo 

100 

86 

1,179 

39 

761 

3 

5 

5 

34 

Aguas  Buenas  .  .  . 
San  Lorenzo  
Juncos 

155 

61 

38 

148 
61 
21 

5,049 
2,229 

428 

54 
44 
6 

2,328 
745 
115 

12 

1 

27 
2 
4 

14 
3 

8 

41 
11 
9 

Total  

430 

362 

11,019 

162 

5,016 

16 

42 

37 

105 

Cayey 

109 

74 

6,068 

35 

1,505 

10 

4 

4 

21 

Cidra  

90 

77 

4,360 

20 

605 

8 

17 

6 

26 

Total  

199 

151 

10,428 

55 

2,110 

18 

21 

10 

47 

Mayaguez 

892 

760 

28  522 

332 

12.368 

99 

37 

66 

226 

Cabo  Rojo    

131 

113 

3,729 

13 

675 

18 

7 

50 

25 

5 

5 

183 

1 

4 

Las  Marias 

209 

169 

10,  775 

76 

2,875 

11 

11 

7 

64 

Maricao  

99 

68 

6,092 

23 

1,708 

8 

10 

8 

19 

Anasco  

413 

293 

7,389 

130 

2,858 

23 

23 

21 

96 

Total  

1,749 

1,408 

56,690 

574 

20,484 

•  160 

88 

152 

434 

Manati  

668 

570 

12,  982 

190 

4,641 

158 

75 

48 

99 

Morovis  . 

a54 

345 

8,  752 

109 

3,334 

117 

41 

39 

39 

Ciales 

576 

527 

17,828 

242 

9,262 

110 

46 

57 

72 

Vega  Baja.. 

166 

163 

5,223 

56 

1,257 

65 

9 

17 

16 

Vega  Alta      

59 

55 

1,211 

15 

385 

7 

3 

2 

28 

Barceloneta  

119 

119 

3,014 

57 

1,984 

22 

10 

15 

15 

Total  

1,942 

1,779 

49,010 

669 

20,863 

479 

184 

178 

269 

Rio  Grande 

46 

28 

1  145 

16 

800 

1 

2 

9 

Luquillo 

1 

1 

520 

1 

Ceiba 

1 

1 

80 

1 

15 

Total 

48 

30 

1  745 

17 

815 

1 

3 

9 

Humicao 

2 

2 

31 

1 

1 

Yabucoa       . 

60 

55 

889 

1 

20 

37 

11 

2 

4 

1 

] 

1 

Piedras 

43 

40 

2,341 

11 

11 

12 

6 

Maunabo  

54 

54 

1,333 

6 

254 

10 

6 

1 

31 

Total  

160 

152 

4,594 

7 

274 

59 

28 

17 

41 

Yauco  

219 

180 

10,981 

5 

120 

4 

14 

11 

146 

Guayanilla 

76 

46 

2,203 

8 

678 

1 

5 

2 

30 

Total  

295 

226 

13,184 

13 

798 

5 

19 

13 

176 

REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        271 
Report  on  applications  received  from  planters  from  districts — Continued. 


Applica- 
tions re- 
ceived. 

Applica- 
tions 
acted 
upon. 

Acres 
under 
cultiva- 
tion. 

Ap- 
proved 
and 
agree- 
ments 
signed. 

Rations 
allowed 
per  day. 

Disap- 
proved. 

No  re- 
ply to 
confi- 
dential 
letter. 

Refused 
to  sign 
No           or 
refer-    agree- 
ences.      ment 
not  re- 
turned. 

Lares            

336 
303 

270 
249 

519 

12,590 
11,531 

119 

75 

5,530 
2,832 

44 
56 

100 

18 

7 

25 

38 
8 

46 

51 
103 

San  Sebastain... 
Total.  

639 

24,121 

194 

8,362 

154 

Ponce         

170 
342 
1 
154 
154 

165 

301 
1 
142 

ior 

17,926 

22,978 
30 
4,709 
8,168 

13 

21 
1 
5 

8 

1,435 
3,411 
100 
110 
470 

7 

7 

40 

81 

41 

29 

64 
163 

Juana  Diaz 

Santa  Ysabel.... 
Penuelas 

6 
9 

17 
15 

9 
14 

105 
61 

Coamo 

Total  

821 

716 

53,811 

48 

5,526 

29 

153 

93 

393 

3 
13 
35 
6 
5 

3 
12 
21 
2 
4 

85 
469 
442 
66 
92 

1,154 

2 

1 
3 
g 
2 

Rio  Piedras 

3 
3 

85 
95 

6 
6 

Carolina  

2 

2 

Trujillo  Alto  .... 
Total  

2 

8 

65 

2 

62 

42 

245 

4 

2 

14 

14 

San  German  
Sabana  Grande  .  . 
Lajas 

261 
214 
31 

506 

203 
165 
22 

390 

5,661 
5,315 
1,581 

18 

27 

402 
1,049 

18 
15 

11 
4 

128 
39 
16 

183 

28 
80 
6 

114 

Total.  

33 

15 

12,557 

45 

1,451 

RECAPITULATION. 


Adjuntas 

692 

540 

29,300 

300 

9,  750 

as 

49 

56 

102 

Arroyo 

194 

157 

3,672 

19 

1,227 

2 

13 

53 

70 

Aibonito 

449 

352 

14,346 

157 

6,341 

18 

45 

49 

83 

Aguadilla 

394 

127 

4,604 

4 

150 

12 

31 

21 

59 

Arecibo  

1,762 

1,568 

64,210 

683 

20,962 

187 

108 

204 

386 

Bayamon 

1,230 

1,190 

25,653 

448 

13,904 

40 

436 

56 

210 

Caguas  

430 

362 

11,019 

162 

5,016 

16 

42 

37 

105 

Cayey 

199 

151 

10,428 

55 

2,110 

18 

21 

10 

47 

Fajardo 

48 

30 

1,745 

17 

815 

1 

3 

9 

Guanica  

295 

226 

13,  184 

13 

798 

5 

19 

13 

176 

TTumq.cRo 

160 

152 

4,594 

7 

274 

59 

28 

17 

41 

Lares  

639 

519 

24,121 

194 

8,362 

100 

25 

46 

154 

Mayaguez    .  . 

1,749 

1,408 

56,690 

574 

20,484 

160 

88 

152 

434 

Manati 

1,942 

1,779 

49,  010 

669 

20,863 

479 

184 

178 

269 

Ponce  

821 

716 

53,811 

48 

5,526 

29 

153 

93 

393 

San  Juan 

62 

42 

1,154 

8 

245 

4 

2 

14 

14 

San  German  

506 

390 

12,557 

45 

1,451 

33 

15 

183 

114 

Total  .  . 

11,572 

9,709 

380,098 

3,403 

118,278 

1,196 

1,259 

1,185 

2,666 

Number  of  applications  acted  upon 

Applications  received  too  late  to  be  acted  upon 


9,709 
1,863 


Total  received..  ..  11,572 


HOSPITALS  IN  THEIR  RELATION  TO  RELIEF. 

Hospitals  in  Porto  Rico,  have  with  scarcely  an  exception,  been  such 
in  name  only.  Each  municipality  is  supposed  to  support  at  least  one. 
It  usually  consists  of  a  small  frame  building,  divided  into  two,  three, 
or  four  rooms,  as  the  size  permits.  Of  furnishings  it  may  be  said  that 
there  are  none,  and  of  medical  and  surgical  supplies,  they  are  non- 
existant.  Food  and  care  are  not  more  than  sufficient  to  meet  the 
simplest  needs.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  sanitary  and  hygienic 
measures  are  conspicuous  by  their  total  absence. 

The  care  of  the  sick,  largely  increased  in  number  as  a  consequence 
of  the  hurricane,  was  of  course  a  most  important  part  of  the  general 


272       EEPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

work  of  relief  under  the  board  of  charities.  The  existing  conditions 
made  this  a  problem  most  difficult  to  solve  satisfactorily.  With  a 
view  to  ascertaining  definitely  the  status  of  the  island's  hospital  accom- 
modations, and  as  a  basis  for  any  future  allotments  of  funds  appropri- 
ated for  their  care,  the  following  circular  letter  was  sent  from  the 
adjutant-general's  office  in  October: 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  October  25,  1899. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER  AND  DIVISION  INSPECTOR, 


SIR:  The  department  commander  requests  that  you  will  furnish  the  following 
information: 

In  which  of  your  municipalities  are  there  hospitals?    . 

Please  describe  the  conditions  of  each,  as  follows: 

1.  (a)  Size: .     (6)  Character: .     (c)  Location: .     (d)  Condi- 
tion of  building: . 

2.  Outbuildings: . 

3.  Furniture  and  appliances: . 

4.  Supplies: . 

5.  State,  in  order  of  importance,  repairs  needed,  and  submit  estimate  of  cost  of 
material  and  labor.  —  . 

6.  Give  list  of  furniture  and  bedding  needed.          — . 

7.  What  is  the  present,  average,  and  annual  occupancy?    . 

8.  What  official  is  in  charge  of  the  hospital?    . 

9.  How  many  nurses  and  other  attendants  are  there? . 

10.  How  is  the  hospital  supplied  with  food  and  medicine? . 

11.  How  can  $500  be  most  effectively  spent  in  improving  the  hospital?    Give 
rough  estimate.          — . 

12.  Recommendations: . 

The*  replies  were  almost  unanimous  in  their  description  of  the  hos- 
pitals, as  totally  unfit  for  their  purpose,  both  as  regards  accommoda- 
tion and  facilities. 

The  following  are  a  few  communications  in  reply  to  the  above,  and 
others  of  later  date  apropos  to  the  subject.  They  are  inserted  to  give 
an  idea  of  the  general  state  of  these  institutions  throughout  the  island. 
There  were  exceptions,  but  their  number  was  insignificant. 

POST  OF  LARES,  P.  R.,  October  31, 1899. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  Referring  to  your  letter  of  October  25, 1  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that 
the  municipalities  of  both  Lares  and  San  Sabastian,  in  the  division  of  Lares,  have 
hospitals. 

The  reply  to  interrogatories  in  reference  to  the  San  Sabastian  hospital  is  inclosed 
herewith,  and  that  for  the  Lares  hospital  is  as  follows: 

1.  (a)  Size:  30  by  50  feet.    (6)  Character:  Frame,  corrugated-iron  roof .    (c)  Lo- 
cation: Somewhat  isolated,  on  a  high  hill  to  west  of  town,     (d)  Condition  of 
building:  In  bad  repair;  half  unroofed  by  hurricane  and  only  temporarily  repaired. 

2.  Outbuildings:  None.     Privy  vault  adjoining  kitchen  in  rear  part  of  building. 

3.  Furniture  and  appliances:  Twenty-five  cot  frames,  8  without  covers;  1  bench, 
5  chambers,  and  a  few  dishes. 

4.  Supplies:  None. 

5.  State,  in  order  of  importance,  repairs  needed,  and  submit  estimate  of  cost  of 
material  and  labor.    A  masonry  privy  vault  and  drain,  to  be  flushed  with  rain 
water  from  eaves  spout,  $75;  repairs  to  roof  and  outer  walls,  $100. 

6.  Give  list  of  furniture  and  bedding  needed.     Ten  covers  for  cot  frames,  10 
chairs,  6  small  tables,  1  commode,  2  bedpans,  1  bath  tub,  tableware  and  kitchen 
utensils.  6  wash  basins.  10  water  buckets,  6  dozen  bedsheets,  20  blankets,  25 
nightshirts. 

7.  What  is  present,  average,  and  annual  occupancy?    14, 18,  and  250.     Capacity, 
25  beds. 

8.  What  official  is  in  charge?    Dr.  Asenjo,  municipal  physician. 

9.  How  many  nurses  and  other  attendants.    One  male  and  1  female  nurse  and  1 
male  attendant. 


REPOET  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   273 

10.  How  is  the  hospital  supplied  with  food  and  medicines?    Relief  supplies  solely. 

11.  How  can  $500  be  most  effectively  spent  in  improving  the  hospital?    For 
above-named  repairs,  furniture,  and  bedding,  and  in  providing  a  water  tank  or 
•cistern  with  necessary  gutter  and  spout  to  catch  rain  water;  estimated  cost  of 
latter.  $75. 

12.  Recommendations:  The  present  privy  vault  is  simply  a  pit  in  the  ground, 
without  outlet  except  seepage,  underneath  the  rear  end  of  building,  and  of  an 
unknown  number  of  years  standing.    Improved  sanitary  arrangements  seems  to 
be  the  first  consideration. 

Very  respectfully, 

HARRY  R.  LEE, 
Captain,  Eleventh  U.  S.  Infantry,  Division  Inspector. 


CAYEY,  P.  R.,  December  14,  1899. 
The  ADJUTANT. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  condition  of  the  building  used  for  a  hospital 
at  Salinas,  P.  R.,  in  the  district  of  Cayey,  in  accordance  with  orders  issued  Decem- 
ber 5,  1899. 

The  building  is  an  old.  weather-beaten,  wooden  structure,  about  12  feet  square, 
badly  roofed,  without  doors,  windows,  and  floor  that  deserve  the  name.  No 
kitchen  nor  utensils  of  any  kind.  No  beds,  cots,  nor  any  furnishings  whatever. 
Most  unsanitary  and  vile. 

Four  patients  were  found  on  the  floor,  suffering  from  anaemia  and  starvation. 
Fifteen  centavos  daily  is  the  munificent  sum  expended  by  the  council  for  the 
•expenses  of  these  four  victims.    *    *    * 

Very  respectfully.  H.  A.  EBERLE, 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. 


AIBONITO,  P.  R.,  November  10,  1899. 
•COMMANDING  OFFICER, 

Post  of  Aibonito,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  in  regard  to  inspection  of 
the  public  hospital  at  Aibonito,  P.  R. : 

There  is  no  permanent  hospital,  and  the  hospital  itself,  which  is  only  a  tempo- 
rary affair,  is  a  building  24  feet  long  by  21  feet  wide,  divided  by  a  partition  in  the 
center,  and  one  large  room  in  the  rear,  which  is  used  as  a  kitchen;  the  location  is 
good,  but  building  is  foul  and  dirty  and  very  poorly  adapted  for  the  purpose  used, 
and  in  need  of  very  extensive  repairs  to  put  it  in  a  habitable  condition. 

The  outbuilding,  which  is  used  for  a  water-closet,  was  in  a  dirty  condition,  and 
very  odoriferous. 

Furniture  consisted  of  one  large  table,  a  few  broken  chairs,  and  cots. 

A  small  quantity  of  supplies  and  medicines  on  hand. 

At  present  there  are  only  6  patients  in  hospital. 

One  practicante  in  charge  and  one  nurse  on  duty. 

Food  and  medicines  supplied  by  municipal  authorities  and  relief  committee. 

I  would  respectfully  recommend  that  another  building  be  obtained  and  fitted 
throughout. 

Very  respectfully,  COMPTON  WILSON, 

Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. ,  Post  Surgeon. 


SAN  SEBASTIAN,  December  21,  1899. 
Captain  LEE,  Lares: 

I  visited  the  hospital  to-day  and  found  it  in  very  bad  condition.  There  are  13 
patients— 8  men  and  5  women.  They  have  one  bunk  and  were  sleeping  on  the 
floor  without  any  covering.  I  have  given  them  all  the  bean  bags  that  I  can  spare 
to  use  as  covering  and  bedding.  Dr.  Meguel  Cancio,  in  charge  of  the  hospital, 
only  visits  them  two  or  three  times  a  month.  They  scarcely  have  any  clothing, 
and  as  we  have  none  on  hand  can  not  supply  them.  It  seems  necessary  to  supply 
them  with  clothing  soon  as  possible.  They  get  only  one  meal  a  day,  which  is  com- 
posed of  beans,  rice,  and  codfish. 

MICHAEL  G-ELSBURG. 
Sergeant  in  Charge  of  District. 
19709—01 18 


274   EEPOET  OF  THE  BOAED  OF  CHAEITIES  OF  POETO  RICO, 

As  elsewhere  stated,  large  amounts  of  medicines  were  distributed 
throughout  the  island.  These  were  transmitted  through  the  several 
post  surgeons  to  such  municipal  physicians  and  hospitals  as,  after 
investigation,  were  found  to  need  them.  Such  food  and  clothing  as 
came  to  hand,  suitable  for  the  purpose,  was  also  reserved  for  this 
branch  of  the  work.  Further  than  this,  and  the  engaging  of  physi- 
cians for  certain  districts  where  absolutely  necessary,  the  board  could 
not  go  in  the  general  administration  of  this  department  of  relief.  But 
in  one  case  where  there  was  an  immense  increase  in  sick,  and  an  abso- 
lute inability  of  the  municipality  to  cope  with  the  situation,  it  became 
necessary  for  the  board  to  establish  a  temporary  provisional  hospital. 
This  was  at  Ponce,  where  the  hurricane  had  spent  its  force  and  where 
the  waters  inundated  the  whole  city.  The  civil  hospitals  had  been 
rendered  entirely  unserviceable.  This  extensive,  thickly  populated 
section  was  in  a  fair  way  to  originate  and  spread  broadcast  disease, 
which  at  such  a  time  could  not  have  been  successfully  controlled. 
For  the  sake  of  the  island  as  a  whole  the  situation  had  to  be  met,  and 
at  once. 

On  August  25  the  following  telegram  was  sent  to  the  surgeon,  Ponce : 

What  have  you  done  about  emergency  hospital  for  citizens?  Organize  such  a 
hospital  on  site  of  old  convalescent  camp  and  take  charge  of  it.  Will  send  food 
and  medicine  for  sick  to  replace  what  you  may  use  from  stock  on  hand.  Send 
bills  for  milk  here.  Hire  Moret  at  $100  per  month. 

HOFF,  President. 

The  preliminary  report  of  the  surgeon  in  charge  gave  a  history  of 
its  organization  and  nn  account  of  the  difficulties  met  with.  It  was 
as  follows: 

POST  HOSPITAL, 

Ponce,  P.  E.,  September  13,  1899. 
CHIEF  SURGEON  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

(Through  military  channels.) 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  on  the  26th  of  August,  1899,  the  surgeon  of 
the  post  was  notified  by  the  post  commander  that  the  general  commanding  the 
department  had  ordered  the  establishment  of  a  field  provisional  hospital  for  the 
Porto  Rican  sick  who  could  not  be  admitted  to  the  hospitals  in  the  city. 

The  same  day  the  order  was  transmitted  by  the  chief  surgeon,  who  further 
authorized  the  use  of  such  necessary  articles  as  were  in  the  possession  of  the  mili- 
tary hospital  and  as  president  of  the  board  of  charities  such  needful  expenditure 
of  money  for  native  attendants  as  was  deemed  absolutely  necessary.  A  force  of  6 
Hospital  Corps  men  and  1  steward  was  ordered  to  report  for  duty  in  its  construc- 
tion and  maintenance.  The  work  was  straightway  begun,  and  Dr.  Moret  of  this 
city  was  called  to  the  position  of  attending  physician,  at  $100  per  month.  The 
commanding  officer  of  the  post  authorized  the  quartermaster  to  furnish  the  needful 
material  and  labor  for  the  construction  of  the  field  hospital.  All  this  material 
save  a  tew  tents  was  at  the  Playa  de  Ponce,  and  hardly  had  20  wall  tents  been  com- 
pleted when  a  violent  rainstorm  of  three  days'  duration  completely  stopped  the 
work  and  forbade  the  fording  of  the  river  between  the  hospital  and  the  playa. 
Difficulty  in  hauling  material  and  the  great  distance  from  the  store  of  tents  and 
lumber  caused  the  delay  which  followed.  Meanwhile  no  little  difficulty  was  found 
in  caring  for  sick  who  were  besieging  for  admittance.  In  the  midst  of  rain  and 
mud  the  corps  of  the  military  hospital  and  the  efficient  corps  of  native  attendants 
worked  faithfully  and  briskly  to  relieve  all  who  applied.  Wall  tents  were  tempo- 
rarily pitched  and  all  care  taken  to  prevent  exposure  to  the  storm.  The  result  is 
shown  in  the  fact  that  no  illness  occurred  from  those  three  days'  of  bad  weather. 
Meanwhile  a  corps  of  native  attendants  had  been  carefully  selected,  who  have  since 
proved  excellent  and  intelligent  workers.  They  are  paid  :-J5  cents  per  day,  gold. 
The  hospital  at  present  is  composed  of  four  large  wards  of  8  hospital  tents  each 
and  each  holding  24  beds.  20  wall  tents  of  2  beds  each,  1  administration  tent  for  an 
officer,  2  Sibley  tents  for  stores,  a  tent  for  bathing,  a  wooden  building  for  a  latrine, 
and  one  for  a  kitchen,  and  a  tent  dining  room.  All  tents  are  floored  with  level  floor- 
ing and  raised  from  the  ground  to  allow  of  free  drainage  and  ventilation.  The 


UNITED  STATES  ARMY  PROVISIONAL  HOSPITAL,   PONCE. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        275 

leveling  of  the  floors  necessitated  building  upon  joists  on  the  side  toward  the  sea, 
as  the  camp  is  on  the  hill. 

The  arrangement  of  the  tents  is  seen  on  the  accompanying  diagram.  The 
latrine  is  at  a  safe  distance  from  the  camp,  but  has  no  trench.  It  is  floored  well  above 
the  ground,  and  is  divided  into  two  parts  by  a  partition,  one  side  for  women  and 
children  and  the  other  side  for  men.  There  are  placed  under  the  privy  seats 
seven  galvanized-iron  cans,  which  exactly  fit  the  space,  and  which  are  removed  at 
7  a.  m.  and  4  p.  m.  daily,  washed,  and  returned  by  the  post  scavenger,  who  takes 
them  to  the  general  dump  for  excreta  fixed  by  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
post.  During  the  day  a  disinfectant  of  crude  carbolic  acid  is  added  every 
hour  by  the  police  party,  and  all  persons  found  soiling  the  camp  vicinity  are  imme- 
diately ejected  from  the  hospital.  The  kitchen  is  placed  at  the  greatest  possible 
distance  from  the  privy.  It  is  a  frame  building  fitted  with  an  army  range,  and  is 
in  charge  of  a  native  cook,  supervised  by  the  steward.  Up  to  this  date  it  was 
impossible  to  feed  these  patients  from  any  other  source  than  the  hospital,  as  no 
supplies  would  have  been  available  even  had  the  kitchen  been  built.  To-day  the 
kitchen  has  been  completed,  and  as  supplies  have  just  arrived  the  sick  will  be  fed 
from  their  own  camp. 

In  addition  to  this  fact,  the  abrupt  change  of  these  people  from  the  habits  of  a 
lifetime  in  preparation  of  their  own  food  to  a  completely  new  regime  with  excess 
of  meat  and  greater  variety,  and  different  seasoning  of  dishes,  caused  a  wide  epi- 
demic of  diarrhea.  Together  with  this  there  was  a  pronounced  wave  of  dissatis- 
faction, and  many  began  to  leave  the  camp,  saying  they  were  comfortable  but  they 
could  not  eat  American  food.  As  I  personally  inspected  the  food  at  all  times  and 
as  it  was  precisely  the  same  as  that  served  to  our  sick  in  the  military  hospital,  I 
believed  it  to  be  due  to  a  change  in  the  diet.  Pending  the  erection  of  a  kitchen, 
which  I  immediately  recommended  be  built,  the  cases  of  diarrhea  have  ceased  and 
those  now  here  have  become  more  accustomed  to  the  food.  The  explanation  of 
this  inaptitude  for  our  cooking  is  believed  to  be  also  due  to  the  fact  that  many 
eat  little  more  than  dried  codfish  and  small  number  of  bananas  at  any  time,  and 
that  they  were  in  a  meat-starved  condition  when  admitted.  This  is  further  borne 
out  by  the  fact  that  fully  three-fourths  of  the  patients  are  suffering  from  grave 
anaemia  due  to  this  poor  diet  and  together  with  this  cause,  bad  sanitation,  but 
chiefly  from  the  bad  quality  of  food  which  they  are  accustomed  to. 

A  bath  tent  is  established  where  patients  are  bathed  before  entering,  when  this 
is  possible.  Complete  records  according  with  military  form  are  kept  in  the 
the  administration  tent.  The  wall  tents  are  used  for  women  and  children. 

They  are  equipped  each  with  cots,  double  sheet,  double  blanket,  pillow  and  pil- 
lowcase, a  small  folding  table,  and  folding  chairs.  The  wards  are  for  males 
and  are  equipped  with  24  beds.  One  ward  is  reserved  for  surgical  cases  and  has 
a  field  operating  and  dressing  table. 

All  absolutely  necessary  appointments  of  a  field  hospital  are  supplied  from  our 
storeroom;  a  property  book  contains  the  quantity,  and  for  the  protection  of  the 
property  a  guard  of  two  by  night  and  two  by  day  is  kept.  Every  convenience 
in  the  shape  of  carefully  watched  commodes,  bedpans,  etc.,  is  furnished  those 
who  through  feebleness  can  not  reach  the  latrine.  Running  water  is  supplied 
from  four  faucets  by  pipes  which  have  their  head  in  the  local  reservoir  above  in 
the  hill,  and  filtered  ice  water  is  furnished  for  drinking  purposes. 

Dr.-Moret  is  in  charge  of  the  treatment  of  the  patients  and  makes  two  visits 
daily  to  the  camp,  where  he  is  accompanied  by  the  surgeon  and  the  steward  in  his 
rounds.  The  cases  are  many  of  them  chronic,  which  have  been  admitted  from  the 
Tricoche  Hospital,  which,  until  its  precarious  condition  due  to  the  cyclone  is  bet- 
tered, can  not  accommodate  its  full  capacity.  The  remainder  are  cases  of  all 
kinds,  save  infectious  diseases,  of  which  there  are  none.  These  chronic  cases  are 
among  those  most  desperately  in  need.  Pernicious  anaemia,  malarial  cachexia, 
diseases  of  the  heart,  lungs,  and  kidneys  are  the  prevalent  diseases.  The  patients 
are  most  worthy  of  hospital  attention,  as  the  utter  lack  of  food,  proper  cover,  and 
medical  care  would  have  caused  a  large  death  rate  among  them  had  it  not  been 
for  this  hospital.  The  medicines  and  surgical  dressings  are  supplied  from  the 
military  hospital,  but  separate  account  is  kept  of  their  issue.  There  is  by  day  a 
native  cook  and  helper,  1  native  female  nurse,  and  I  native  male  nurse,  2.  Hospital 
Corps  men  on  police  and  guard,  1  Hospital  Corps  man  as  clerk  and  assistant  in 
surgical  dressing  and  general  duty;  and  by  night  1  native  female  nurse,  1  native 
male  nurse,  and  1  hospital  guard.  A  steward  has  general  charge  of  the  personnel 
under  the  direction  of  the  surgeon  of  the  post.  The  camp  is  excellently  situated, 
open  to  the  breezes  of  the  sea,  and  commands  a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding 
country  and  city  below.  There  are  accommodations  for  136  patients,  and  we  have 
now  about  100.  The  admissions  are  only  by  official  application  of  the  board  of 
health,  which  investigates  the  worthiness  of  each  one  desiring  a  bed.  Several  have 


276       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

been  discharged  cured.    I  am  informed  that  many  more  desire  admittance,  so 
that  the  recently  completed  fourth  ward  will  soon  be  filled. 
Very  respectfully, 

BAILEY  K.  ASHFORD, 
First  Lieutenant  and  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  Surgeon. 

The  hospital  was  established  to  meet  an  acute  condition,  and  it  was 
expected  that  a  few  weeks  at  most  would  be  sufficient  to  tide  over  the 
emergency,  but  the  demands  upon  it  were  so  pressing  during  the 
following  six  months  that  its  maintenance  during  that  period  was 
necessary. 

Efforts  were  made  from  time  to  time  to  close  the  hospital,  for  as 
soon  as  the  acute  stage  had  passed  its  original  purpose  had  been 
answered.  But  it  had  gradually  become  filled  with  subacute  and 
chronic  cases,  with  which  Ponce  was  at  that  time  crowded,  and  as 
there  was  no  civil  institution  with  unoccupied  space  to  which  these 
could  be  transferred,  there  was  nothing  to  do  but  keep  it  open.  The 
knowledge  of  the  existence  of  the  provisional  hospital  had  spread 
throughout  the  surrounding  district,  resulting  in  great  demands  being 
made  upon  it  from  near  and  far.  People  came,  or  were  brought  in, 
who  were  suffering  from  the  prevailing  chronic  diseases,  such  as 
grave  anaemia,  dropsy  from  various  causes,  dysentery,  etc.  Many 
were  in  such  a  condition  that  a  refusal  to  grant  admission  would  have 
been  a  veritable  death  sentence.  So  it  was  that,  notwithstanding  the 
earnest  desire  of  all  concerned,  the  hospital  was  in  active  service  for 
six  months. 

The  following  two  telegrams  from  the  surgeon,  Ponce,  are  typical 
•of  the  reports  bearing  on  the  closing  of  the  institution: 

PONCE,  November  11, 1899. 
CHIEF  SURGEON,  San  Juan: 

Native  hospital  fuller  than  ever.  Cases  worthy.  City  said  to  be  without  funds. 
Believed  to  be  needed,  and  suggest  continuance  as  long  as  funds  can  support  it. 

ASHFORD,  Surgeon. 


PONCE,  November  21,  1899. 
CHIEF  SURGEON,  San  Juan: 

Tricoche  Hospital  finished.  All  full,  and  corridors  contain  patients;  152  in 
relief  hospital  and  still  many  sick  in  streets  of  Ponce.  No  taxes  collected  and 
council  without  money.  Earnest  appeal  to  continue  from  doctors  here.  What 
shall  I  do?  Particulars  follow  in  letter. 

ASHFORD,  Surgeon. 

The  following  are  the  reports  of  the  surgeon  during  January  and 
February.  The}7  give  an  idea  of  the  course  pursued  in  closing,  and 
the  existing  local  conditions  at  that  time : 

POST  HOSPITAL, 
Ponce,  P.  R. ,  January  20,  1900. 
Col.  J.  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Chief  Surgeon,  Headquarters  Department  San  Juan,  Porto  Rico. 
SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  in  reference  to  the  provisional  hospital  for 
natives  at  this  place,  as  follows:  There  are  about  100  inmates  now.  About  25  will 
be  discharged  in  one  or  two  days;  of  the  remainder  only  about  25  or  30  are  proper 
subjects  for  hospital  treatment,  being  affected  with  chronic  diarrhea  or  general 
anasarca  mainly.  All  others  are  merely  more  or  less  helpless  paupers;  some  with 
chronic  ulcers  requiring  outdoor  hospital  treatment,  others  the  subjects  of  chronic 
anaemia.  All  the  public  hospitals  of  this  town  are  said  to  be  crowded  to  their 
full  capacity,  and  any  new  cases  of  acute  illness  have  been  taken  into  the  pro- 
visional hospital,  if  homeless  and  without  means.  So  that  at  present  the  condition 
seems  to  be  that  more  hospital  room  must  be  provided  for  the  poor  in  this  town, 


REPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        277 

or  else  they  will  lack  the  ordinary  demands  of  humanity.  Then  there  are  also  the 
chronic,  more  or  less  helpless  paupers,  who  will  be  discharged  from  the  provisional 
hospital,  and  for  whom  there  seems  to  be  no  room  in  the  almshouse  of  this  town. 
Many  of  these  sick  and  paupers  have  come  to  Ponce  from  outlying  towns,  which 
towns,  or  districts,  might  be  required  to  report  their  destitute  and  sick,  if  unable 
to  care  for  them,  and  local  treatment  or  subsistence  furnished.  A  further  report 
will  be  rendered  as  soon  as  possible  concerning  the  condition  herein  mentioned. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  L.  TEN  EYCK, 
Captain  and  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. 


POST  HOSPITAL, 
Ponce,  P.  R.,  January  27,  1900. 
CHIEF  SURGEON, 

Headquarters  Department  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  there  are  about  60  patients  now  in  the  pro- 
visional hospital  for  natives  of  this  place.  These  are  mostly  sick  of  chronic 
diarrhea  or  chronic  anaemia,  with  a  few  cases  of  recurrent  fever,  diagnosed  as 
malarial  by  the  surgeon  in  charge.  On  account  of  the  insufficiency  of  the  present 
public  accommodation  for  the  sick  poor  of  this  town  and  adjacent  country,  it 
seems  impossible  to  close  the  provisional  hospital  at  present;  and  with  occasional 
accretion  to  the  number  of  inmates  from  the  acutely  sick  or  from  the  helpless 
cases  of  chronic  illness  the  present  number  of  inmates  will  be  very  slowly  reduced. 
There  is  a  very  apparent  need  of  more  room  for  the  sick  poor  and  the  old  and  help- 
less poor  of  this  town  and  its  environs;  i.  e.,  an  additional  hospital  and  almshouse 
for  permanent  use  to  take  the  place  of  the  present  provisional  hospital. 

All  cases  discharged  from  said  hospital  have  been  inspected  and  their  discharge 
approved  by  Dr.  Moret,  the  attending  physician.  One  discharged  patient,  55  years 
of  age,  and  with  organic  disease  of  the  heart  and  brain  quiescent  stage,  was  found 
dead  eight  days  after  leaving  the  hospital;  but  was  in  good  condition  as  to  strength 
and  nutrition  when  discharged. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  L.  TEN  EYCK, 
Captain  and  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. 


POST  HOSPITAL, 
Ponce,  P.  R.,  February  14,  1900. 
CHIEF  SURGEON, 

Headquarters  Department  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  in  relation  to  the  provisional  hospital  at  this 
place  that  there  are  3  men  and  1  woman  in  the  hospital.  One  orphan  child,  aged 
about  8  years,  without  friends  or  relations,  is  in  good  health,  but  is  kept  in  the 
hospital  until  otherwise  provided  for. 

I  recommend  that  an  order  be  issued  authorizing  the  closing  of  the  hospital 
when,  in  the  opinion  of  the  surgeon  in  charge,  no  further  need  for  it  exists. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  L.  TEN  EYCK, 
Captain  and  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. 

The  closing  of  this  hospital  occurred  on  February  26,  1900,  just  six 
months  after  its  establishment  was  ordered. 

POST  HOSPITAL, 
Ponce,  P.  R.,  February  26,  1900. 
CHIEF  SURGEON, 

Headquarters  Department  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  provisional  hospital  for  natives  at  this 
place  was  closed  this  afternoon  by  the  taking  down  of  the  last  three  tents,  which 
have  been  used  for  a  very  few  patients,  for  whom  no  other  provisions  could  be 
made,  during  the  past  few  weeks. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  L.  TEN  EYCK, 
Captain  and  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. 


278       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 
HOSPITAL   STATISTICS. 

There  were  427  admissions  to  the  hospital,  exclusive  of  30  children 
allowed  to  remain  with  their  mothers  who  were  patients.  Of  the  cases 
treated  309  were  male  and  118  female. 

The  admissions  and  deaths  for  each  month  were  as  follows : 


Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Total. 

Admissions  

6 

181 

106 

68 

28 

38 

0 

427 

Deaths  a  .                    

1 

10 

14 

8 

10 

12 

5 

60 

a  Five  of  the  children  admitted  also  died. 


The  following  is  a  classification  of  the  causes  of  admission  and 
deaths : 


Typhoid  fever 

Tuberculosis 

Malarial  fever 

Rhetimatism 

Ulcers  and  superficial  abscesses 

Nutritive  diseases 

Venereal  diseases. 

Genito-urinary  diseases ". 

Intestinal  diseases 

Glandular  diseases 

Nervous  diseases 

Respiratory  diseases 

Circulatory  diseases , 

Injuries 

Unclassified - 

Undiagnosed. 


40 
18 
31 

126 

10 

7 

113 


The  assistance  rendered  to  hospitals  and  sick  poor  may  be  judged 
by  the  amounts  of  relief  medicines  distributed  throughout  the  island. 
The  following  is  the  report  of  the  medical  supply  officer  who  was  in 
charge  of  this  distribution : 

MEDICAL  SUPPLY  DEPOT,  U.  S.  A., 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  June  30,  1900. 
CHIEF  SURGEON, 

Department  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  the  employees  of  this  depot  have  been  almost 
constantly  employed  in  the  receiving  and  shipping  of  relief  medicines  since  last 
September.  The  following  are  the  amounts  shipped  to  the  various  towns: 


Ad  juntas 

Pounds.    ! 
6  420      Hat.rt  (Brando 

Pounds. 
1,720 

Aguadilla.   . 

7  350 

Hnmar.ao 

8,956 

Aguas  Buenas 

156     Jayuya 

23 

Aibonito     .     .     . 

7,  322     Lares 

5,412 

Arecibo 

7  263     Manati 

8,300 

Arroyo        

105      IVfavaerifiz 

18,  885 

Barceloneta 

26 

Mnrnvis 

821 

Barros  .                ... 

652     Naranjito 

415 

Bayamon 

849      Prmnfl 

13,  269 

Camuy      

640 

Quebradilla 

352 

Cayev 

9  099 

Sfl.n  n-ftrmaTi 

6,060 

X.  Ji  J   ' 
Ciales  

312     Toa  Alta 

60 

Cialitos 

22      TTtnadn 

7,057 

Comerio  

70 

Vieques 

.-.  .        4,976 

Corozal 

764 

Yabucoa 

105 

Culebra   

1,525 

Yauco            .      .   .  . 

1,041 

Dorado               .  . 

269 

Total  .  . 

.   120,406 

Guanica  . 

110 

P.  R.  EGAN, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  Medical  Supply  Officer. 


EEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        279 

In  March  the  following  cablegram  was  sent  by  the  military  governor 
to  the  Secretary  of  War: 

SAN  JUAN,  March  30,  WOO. 
SECRETARY  OF  WAR,  Washington: 

I  ask  allotment  from  special  emergency  fund  $25,000  placed  with  assistant 
treasurer,  New  York,  to  credit  Mai.  P.  R.  Egan,  surgeon,  United  States  Army, 
disbursing  officer,  board  of  charities,  and  that  I  be  authorized  to  expend  that 
amount  in  purchase  of  medicines,  clothing,  payment  expenses  food  distribution, 
services,  and  in  aid  of  municipal  hospitals  that  must  be  immediately  closed  unless 
aided. 

DAVIS. 

To  which  the  following  reply  was  received: 

WASHINGTON,  April  1,  1900. 
DAVIS,  San  Juan: 

Twenty -five  thousand  dollars1  for  expenditure,  as  requested,  will  be  placed  to 
credit  Egan  at  New  York  from  appropriation  for  refunding  customs  revenue; 
instructions  mailed. 

ROOT,  Secretary  of  War. 

Up  to  the  present  time  the  following  allotments  from  this  fund  have 
been  approved. 
These  are  for  repairs  and  furnishings  of  the  respective  hospitals : 

Municipality  of  Yauco  . $500.00 

Municipality  of  Quebradilla 250.00 

Municipality  of  Corozal 300. 00 

And  to  assist  in  the  maintenance  of  hospitals  at — 

Aguadilla,  for  months  of  April  and  May $60.00 

Adjuntas,  for  April,  May,  and  June 87. 20 

And  for  a  newly  established  orphanage  at — 

Arecibo,  for  April,  May,  June,  and  July _  _ .  $100. 00 

The  Porto  Rico  Central  Belief  Committee,  and  the  Contributions  to  Work 

of  Belief. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  make  adequate  acknowledgment  to  the 
hundreds  of  contributors  who  so  generously  helped  in  the  charitable 
work  intrusted  to  this  board.  Certain  it  is  that  many  here  to-day 
owe  their  lives  to  this  charity. 

Appreciating  the  necessity  for  an  organization  in  the  United  States 
to  represent  the  relief  work  here,  General  Davis  early  addressed  the 
Secretary  of  War,  recommending  the  appointment  of  a  central  com- 
mittee, which  was  approved,  and  the  Central  Porto  Rico  Relief  Com- 
mittee "was  constituted,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  method  and  a 
common  understanding  among  the  various  committees  engaged  in  the 
collection  of  money  and  supplies  for  the  work  of  relief,  and  prevent- 
ing confusion  and  waste  of  effort." 

I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  William  R.  Corwine,  the  able  secretary  of  the 
Porto  Rico  central  relief  committee,  for  the  following  resume  of  the 
work  of  that  committee,  which,  however,  does  not  go  into  the  infinite 
details,  nor  does  it  show  the  admirable  manner  in  which  the  business 
affairs  of  the  committee  were  conducted: 

After  General  Henry  returned  to  the  United  States  from  Porto  Rico,  in  May, 
1899,  Mrs.  Henry  organized  a  society  known  as  the  Colonial  Aid  Society  of  the 

1  The  total  amount  expended  from  this  allotment  to  November  20,  1900.  when 
the  account  was  closed,  was  $7,090.34.  An  account  of  these  disbursements  has 
been  rendered  by  Maj.  P.  E.  Egan,  surgeon,  United  States  Army,  who  was  the 
disbursing  officer  of  the  board  of  charities. 


280   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

United  States.  The  object  of  this  organization  was  to  cooperate  with  the  Woman's 
Aid  Society  of  Porto  Rico,  with  headquarters  at  San  Juan,  of  which  Mrs.  Henry 
had  been  the  president,  and  in  which  office  she  was  succeeded  by  Mrs.  John  Van 
Rensselaer  Hoff ,  the  wife  of  Colonel  Hoff ,  of  the  United  States  Army,  chief  sur- 
geon of  the  Department  of  Porto  Rico. 

The  officers  of  the  Colonial  Aid  Society  of  the  United  States  were:  Mrs.  Guy  V. 
Henry,  president;  Miss  Anna  Rhodes,  vice-president;  Mrs.  John  Janvier  Le  Due, 
secretary,  and  Mrs.  Horace  See.  treasurer. 

An  advisory  board  was  named,  consisting  of  Gen.  Guy  V.  Henry,  United  States 
Army;  the  Rev.  Dr.  George  R.  Van  De  Water,  rector  of  St.  Andrew's  Church, 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Hayes  Ward,  editor  of  the  Independent. 

At  the  request  of  several  gentlemen  Mrs.  Henry  made  a  personal  appeal  to  the 
members  of  the  Merchants'  Association  on  behalf  of  the  Colonial  Aid  Society  of  the 
United  States  and  of  the  Woman  s  Aid  Society  of  Porto  Rico.  These  gentlemen 
were  members  of  the  Merchants'  Association  of  New  York,  and  the  appeal  was 
made  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  rooms  of  that  association  Tuesday,  July  18. 

Hon.  William  L.  Strong,  ex-mayor  of  the  city  of  New  York,  presided  at  the 
meeting. 

The  result  of  this  meeting  was  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  the  Merchants' 
Association  to  aid  Mrs.  Henry  in  raising  funds  and  clothing  for  the  organization 
which  she  represented.  That  committee  was  composed  of  Duncan  D.  Chaplin, 
chairman;  S.  Cristy  Mead,  treasurer;  William  R.  Corwine,  secretary;  John  C. 
Eames,  and  H.  D.  Lockwood. 

The  committee  issued  a  statement  which  was  sent  to  the  members  of  the  Mer- 
chants' Association  and  of  the  press.  The  result  of  this  was  the  receipt  of  about 
$1,100  in  money  and  a  considerable  amount  of  raw  material  to  be  made  up  into 
clothing,  donated  by  merchants  in  lieu  of  money. 

Shortly  afterwards,  or  on  the  8th  of  August,  the  hurricane  of  1899,  which  ha& 
passed  into  history,  devastated  a  large  portion  of  the  island  of  Porto  Rico.  The 
Secretary  of  War  of  the  United  States,  in  his  efforts  to  ameliorate  the  suffering 
caused  by  the  hurricane,  telegraphed  William  R.  Corwine,  of  the  Merchants' Asso- 
ciation, asking  him  if  that  body  would  cooperate  with  the  War  Department  in 
raising  money,  food,  clothing,  and  medical  supplies. 

The  Merchants'  Association  immediately  formed  a  committee  for  this  purpose. 
The  Hon.  Theo.  Roosevelt,  governor  of  the  State  of  New  York,  accepted  the  chair- 
manship of  that  committee.  The  other  officers  of  the  committee  were:  S.  Cristy 
Mead,  treasurer;  William  R.  Corwine,  assistant  secretary  of  the  Merchants' 
Association,  secretary. 
The  members  of  the  committee  in  addition  to  those  mentioned  were: 

Hon.  Cornelius  N.  Bliss,  ex-Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

John  Claflin,  president  H.  B.  Claflin  Company. 

A.  D.  Julliard,  of  A.  D.  Julliard  Company. 

Alvah  Trowbridge,  president  North  American  Trust  Company. 

Robert  C.  Ogden.  resident  partner  in  New  York  of  John  Wanamaker. 

U.  D.  Eddy .  of  Flint,  Eddy  &  Co. 

A.  S.  Frissell,  president  Fifth  Avenue  Bank. 

Frederick  T.  Adams,  of  the  Stock  Exchange  House  of  F.  T.  Adams  &  Co, 

Hon.  Thomas  L.  James,  president  Lincoln  National  Bank. 

George  C.  Clarke,  of  Tefft,  Weoller  &  Co. 

George  F.  Victor,  of  Victor  &  Archelis. 

Edward  P.  Hatch,  of  Lord  &  Taylor. 

Edward  B.  Page,  of  Faulkner,  Page  &  Co. 

Charles  H.  Webb,  of  J.  H.  Dunham  &  Co. 

Thomas  A.  Mclntyre,  of  the  Produce  Exchange  House  of  Mclntyre  & 
Wardwell. 

Marchall  H.  Clyde,  of  the  Clyde  Steamship  Company. 

James  B.  Dill,  of  the  law  firm  of  Dill,  Boemisler  &  Baldwin,  counsel  for  the- 
Merchants'  Association. 

Frank  Squier,  of  Perkins  Goodwin  Company. 

John  C.  Eames,  manager  H.  B.  Claflin  Company. 

Duncan  G.  Chaplin,  of  the  Hocanuin  Association. 

J.  Howard  Sweetser,  of  Sweetser,  Pembrook  Company. 

James  McCreery,  of  James  McCreery  Company. 

Nathan  Strauss,  of  R.  H.  Macy  &  Co. 

H.  D.  Lockwood,  of  the  Merchants'  Association  staff. 

Col.  Daniel  Appleton,  colonel  of  the  Seventh  Regiment  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y. 

Louis  Stern,  of  Stern  Bros. 


1 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        281 

The  appeal  of  this  committee  read  as  follows: 
the  People  of  the  City  of  New  York: 

More  than  1,000,000  people  of  Porto  Rico  are  dependent  upon  the  charity  of  this 
country.  They  have  been  in  a  moment  reduced  to  complete  destitution;  their 
homes  have  been  swept  away ;  their  business  prostrated;  their  occupations  stopped. 
Thousands  of  families  are  without  roofs,  without  clothing,  and  without  food* 
They  have  no  means  of  sustenance  or  protection.  They  can  not  help  themselves; 
and  we  appeal  to  the  people  of  the  great  city  of  New  York  to  lead  in  giving  them 
the  relief  so  urgently  needed. 

The  calamity  which  has  befallen  the  people  of  Porto  Rico  is  one  of  the  greatest 
disasters  of  modern  times,  and  many  thousands  will  die  from  exposure,  disease,  and 
famine  unless  the  generosity  of  our  countrymen  comes  promptly  and  largely  to 
their  relief. 

By  request  of  the  Secretary  of  War  the  Merchants'  Association  has  undertaken 
this  work,  and  we  appeal  to  all  patriotic  citizens  to  show  to  the  suffering  people 
of  our  new  possessions  that  the  extent  of  our  flag  over  their  territory  is  to  be  of 
immediate  material  as  well  as  moral  benefit  to  them. 

Large  amounts  of  money  are  necessary  to  purchase  food,  clothing,  and  medical 
supplies  immeiiately,  which  win  be  distributed  under  supervision  of  the  United 
States  Army  officers. 

Checks  may  be  made  payable  to  S.  C.  Mead,  treasurer  Poto  Rican  relief  com- 
mittee, care  of  the  Merchants'  Association  of  New  York,  246  Broadway,  New 
York  City. 

Meanwhile  William  R.  Cor  wine,  of  the  Merchants'  Association,  used  the  funds 
that  were  in  the  hands  of  the  Merchants'  Association  committee  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Colonial  Aid  Society  in  buying  clothing  and  medicines.  He  immediately  com- 
menced shipping,  and  having  used  up  the  money  in  hand  anticipated  what  might 
be  received  in  response  to  the  appeal  of  the  committee,  of  which  Governor  Roose- 
velt was  chairman,  by  buying  freely,  shipments  to  be' sent  by  each  transport  and 
by  the  steamers  of  the  New  York  and  Porto  Rico  Steamship  Company,  and  by  the 
Red  D  Line,  which  had  volunteered  to  carry  a  certain  amount  of  cargo  for  the 
island  free  of  all  freight  charges. 

His  purchases  were  confined  to  medicines,  such  as  quinine  and  other  drugs  use- 
ful in  such  an  emergency,  and  to  general  lines  of  clothing,  such  as  women's  calico 
wraps  and  undershirts  and  men's  undershirts  and  trousers. 

The  appeal  which  was  prepared  by  the  committee,  of  which  Governor  Roosevelt 
was  chairman,  was  mailed  to  12,000  merchants  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was 
sent  generally  to  the  press  throughout  the  State.  Almost  immediately  responses 
were  received  in  the  shape  of  money  and  clothing. 

Within  a  very  short  time  about  $20,000  in  cash  had  been  received,  of  which  Mr. 
Corwine  had  expended  about  $15,000  for  supplies  of  the  character  above  named, 
all  of  which  had  been  shipped. 

Meanwhile,  the  Secretary  of  War  had  appointed  a  committee  known  as  the  Cen- 
tral Porto  Rico  Relief  Committee.  This  appointment  was  made  on  the  19th  of 
August.  The  committee  consisted  of  the  Hon.  Cornelius  N.  Bliss,  ex-Secretary  of 
the  Interior;  Brig.  Gen.  Guy  V.  Henry.  United  States  Army,  formerly  governor- 
general  of  the  Department  of  Porto  Rico;  the  Right  Rev.  James  H.  Blenk,  S.  M., 
D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Porto  Rico,  then  temporarily  sojourning  in  the  United  States; 
the  Hon.  Warner  Van  Norden,  President  National  Bank  of  North  America; 
William  R.  Corwine,  of  the  Merchants'  Association  of  New  York;  the  mayor  of 
Boston,  or  such  representative  as  he  might  choose  to  designate;  the  mayor  of  New 
York,  or  such  representative  as  he  might  choose  to  designate;  the  mayor  of  Phila- 
delphia, or  such  representative  as  he  might  choose  to  designate,  and  the  mayor  of 
Baltimore,  or  such  representative  as  he  might  choose  to  designate. 

In  his  letter  of  appointment,  the  Secretary  of  War  said: 

"I  have  determined  to  request  the  following  gentlemen  to  act  as  a  Central 
Porto  Rican  Relief  Committee,  to  which  I  shall  request  all  local  committees  to 
report,  and  which  may  perform  the  very  necessary  duty  of  coordinating  the  pro- 
curement and  furnishing  of  supplies,  concentrating  the  money  raised  into  one 
fund,  to  regulate  its  expenditure  so  that  the  supplies  furnished  may  conform  to 
the  requirements  in  character  and  quantity  and  confusion  of  effort  be  avoided. 

"The  work  of  distribution  in  Porto  Rico  will  continue  under  the  direction  of 
the  Quartermaster's  Department  of  the  Army,  which  will  furnish  or  procure  all 
the  vessels  required.  Between  these  agents  of  distribution  and  transportation  on 
the  one  hand  and  the  great  number  of  local  committees,  none  of  which  knows 
what  the  others  are  doing,  on  the  other  hand,  the  new  committee  is  expected  to- 
stand. 


282       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD^  OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

"  It  is  not  expected  that,  beyond  forming  the  original  organization,  a  very  great 
amount  of  time  and  labor  will  be  required  of  the  members  of  the  committee,  the 
work  being,  in  the  main,  of  the  character  to  be  transacted  by  a  secretary  and 
clerical  force,  with  the  possible  assistance  of  a  small  executive  committee." 

This  committee  organized  by  electing  the  Hon.  Cornelius  N.  Bliss  chairman, 
the  Hon.  Warner  Van  Norden  treasurer,  and  William  R.  Corwine  secretary. 

At  the  meeting  at  which  the  organization  was  perfected,  the  mayor  of  New 
York  City  was  represented  by  the  Hon.  Randolph  Gugenheimer,  president  of  the 
council  of  the  city  of  New  York,  then  acting  mayor  of  the  city;  the  mayor  of 
Baltimore,  the  Hon.  William  T.  Malster,  was  present  in  person;  the  mayor  of 
Boston  did  not  reply  to  the  letter  sent  him  asking  him  to  be  present,  and  the 
mayor  of  Philadelphia  had  written  declining  the  appointment  on  the  committee. 

Others  present  at  the  meeting  were,  besides  Mr.  Bliss,  Mr.  Van  Norden,  and  Mr. 
Corwine.  Brig.  Gen.  Guy  V.  Henry  and  the  Right  Rev.  James  H.  Blenk. 

The  National  Bank  of  NorthAmerica  was  designated  as  the  depository  of  the  funds. 

At  this  meeting  Mr.  William  R.  Corwine  asked  for  and  obtained  the  permission 
of  the  committee  to  retain  the  balance  of  the  fund  which  had  been  collected  by  the 
Merchants'  Association  committee,  to  be  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  committee 
originally  formed  to  cooperate  with  Mrs.  Henry  and  Mrs.  Hoff ,  to  the  end  that  the 
charitable  work  which  had  been  inaugurated  might  be  carried  on  so  far  as  the 
funds  in  hand  would  allow  the  committee  to  aid  the  Woman's  Aid  Society  of 
Porto  Rico. 

The  Central  Porto  Ri can  Relief  Committee  thereupon  issued  an  appeal  to  the 
public  at  large.  This  appeal  was  headed  "An  Appeal  to  the  People  of  the  United 
States."  It  read  as  follows: 

''The  greatest  distress  prevails  in  the  island  of  Porto  Rico.  Tens  of  thousands 
of  the  inhabitants  are  without  food  or  clothing.  Their  only  hope  of  keeping  off 
famine  and  starvation  lies  in  the  patriotism,  generosity,  and  broad  charity  of  the 
American  people.  That  the  Porto  Ricans  have  the  strongest  claims  on  us  for  aid 
in  the  awful  affliction  is  beyond  questioning.  They  gave  themselves  into  our  keep- 
ing; they  came  to  us  with  words  and  deeds  of  loyalty  and  with  love  for  the  Ameri- 
can flag  and  all  it  stands  for. 

"Help  has  already  been  most  generously  extended  to  the  sufferers,  but  it  must 
be  continued  until  new  crops  can  be  raised  on  the  lands  devastated  by  the  hurri- 
cane. It  is  estimated  by  the  governor-general  of  the  island  that  §1.500,000  will  be 
required  to  procure  for  the  destitute  the  mere  necessaries  of  life  during  the  period 
of  prostration. 

"  The  committee  feel  confident  that  this  appeal  will  meet  with  a  prompt  and 
adequate  response  from  the  whole  nation. 

'•  The  object  of  the  committee  is  to  carry  on  the  work  of  purchasing  and  ship- 
ping supplies  to  Porto  Rico,  but  it  is  not  in  any  way  to  supersede  or  to  take  the 
place  of  any  committees  previously  formed  in  any  cities  for  the  purpose  of  collect- 
ing money  or  supplies  for  this  laudable  cause. 

"  It  is  expected  that  through  this  committee  local  committees  may  be  informed 
of  just  what  is  needed  in  Porto  Rico.  It  will,  if  required,  make  purchases,  using 
the  funds  which  it  has  on  hand  and  such  other  funds  as  the  committees  in  various 
cities  or  the  officers  of  such  cities  may  have  collected  or  may  collect  to  aid  in  this 
charity,  giving  due  credit  to  each  official,  person,  or  committee  from  whom  money 
or  supplies  may  be  received. 

"  Contributions  can  be  sent  to  mayors  or  executive  officers  of  the  committees  in 
their  cities  and  towns,  and  can  then  be  transmitted  to  the  National  Bank  of 
North  America.  25  Nassau  street.  New  York  City,  from  which  place  disburse- 
ments will  be  made  by  the  committee." 

The  committee  designated  the  Merchants'  Association  of  New  York,  No.  346 
Broadway,  as  the  place  where  all  detailed  information  could  be  supplied  and 
where  goods  would  be  received  and  shipped. 

To  save  as  much  expense  as  possible,  the  secretary  of  the  committee.  Mr.  Wil- 
liam R.  Corwine,  on  behalf  of  the  Merchants'  Association,  offered  his  own  services 
and  the  services  of  the  staff  of  the  association  to  do-all  the  detail  work  without 
charge.  This  offer  was  accepted. 

Copies  of  this  appeal  were  mailed  to  all  the  committees  which  had  been  organized 
in  the  different  cities  of  the  United  States,  were  sent  to  the  press,  to  all  banks 
through  the  country,  and  to  all  the  churches  of  the  various  leading  denominations, 
except  churches  of  the  Roman  Catholic  faith,  to  which  B:shop  Blenk  directly  called 
the  attention  of  the  authorities  in  the  leading  dioceses. 

Purchases  were  made  by  this  committee  of  the  food  and  clothing  for  which 
Oeneral  Davis  made  requisition  upon  the  Secretary  of  War,  so  far  as  the^funds  in 
hand  'enabled  the  committee  to  make  these  purchases.  A  large  amount  of  rice, 
beans,  fish,  and  medical  supplies  were  bought  and  shipped  weekly  on  the  Govern- 
ment transports.  All  the  details  of  this  work  was  attended  to  by  the  secretary  of 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        283 

the  committee,  who  was  aided  loyally  by  the  various  employees  of  the  Merchants' 
Association. 

Meanwhile  the  employees  of  the  association  received  and  forwarded  a  very  large 
number  of  boxes,  barrels,  and  packages  of  all  descriptions,  which  were  sent  in  from 
charitable  organizations  connected  with  churches  or  other  societies  throughout 
the  entire  United  State?,  and  looked  after  large  shipments  of  raw  material  which 
were  donated  by  firms  and  factories  in  lieu  of  actual  money  subscriptions. 

The  purchases  more  than  kept  pace  with  the  fund,  until  in  December  further 
shipments  were  discontinued,  the  last  shipment  being  a  large  amount  of  medical 
supplies  sent  on  requisition  of  Colonel  Hoff ,  surgeon  in  charge  of  the  department 
at  Porto  Rico,  who  had  been  acting  as  the  president  of  the  board  of  charities  of 
the  island  through  all  this  trouble. 

After  the  sending  of  supplies  had  been  discontinued,  there  was  a  small  balance 
left.  This  was  swelled  by  further  contributions,  which  kept  coming  in  from 
•churches  and  charitable  organizations  as  well  as  from  individuals. 

The  amount  finally  became  so  large  that  it  was  decided  by  the  committee,  after 
-consultation  with  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  it  would  be  wise  to  send  Mr.  William 
B.  Corwine,  secretary  of  the  committee,  to  Porto  Rico,  so  that  he  might  make  a 
personal  investigation  of  the  conditions  there  and  ascertain  how  this  balance  could 
best  be  expended  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  suffered  directly  from  the  hurri- 
cane or  for  the  children  of  those  who  were  killed  by  the  hurricane  and  the  floods 
which  accompanied  it,  it  being  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  as  well  as  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  War,  that  such  children  would  be  the  proper  beneficiaries  of  the  fund. 

Mr.  Corwine  volunteered  to  go  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  leave  his  business.  The 
-directors  of  the  merchants' association  had  their  regular  meeting  in  April  and 
gave  their  consent  for  Mr.  Corwine  to  make  the  trip.  He  left  New  York  on  the 
16th  of  April  and  went  over  the  island  as  thoroughly  as  the  time  at  his  disposal 
would  allow  him  to  do. 

He  returned  on  the  10th  of  May  and  made  a  report  to  the  committee,  the  original 
of  which  was  sent  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  which  in  due  course  was  approved 
by  that  official.  In  this  report  Mr.  Corwine  gave  the  details  of  his  trip  and  inves- 
tigation. In  his  conclusion  he  says: 

"  In  view  of  the  conditions  as  set  forth  above,  it  seems  to  me  that  the  best  pos- 
sible use  that  can  be  made  of  the  balance  now  in  the  hands  of  the  committee  would 
be  to  erect  and  equip  with  200  beds  an  orphan  asylum  in  the  city  of  Ponce,  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  municipal  authorities  in  that  city,  to  be  operated  by  a  com- 
mission to  be  composed  of  the  council  of  that  city,  president  of  the  board  of  health, 
the  chief  officers  and  the  officers  of  the  auxiliary  branch  in  Ponce  of  the  Woman's 
Aid  Society  of  Porto  Rico  and  the  Porto  Rican  Benevolent  Society;  that  the  plans 
submitted  by  Lieut.  H.  E.  Eames,  Eleventh  Infantry,  chief  engineer  officer  of 
the  city  of  Ponce,  be  adopted  as  the  basis  of  the  erection  and  equipment  of  such 
asylum;  that  the  details  of  the  work  be  left  with  Right  Rev.  James  H.  Blenk, 
bishop  of  Porto  Rico,  who  is  a  member  of  the  central  Porto  Rican  relief  commit- 
tee, resident  of  the  island  of  Porto  Rico;  that  no  bills  for  the  work  or  equipment 
contracted  for  in  Porto  Rico  be  paid  except  upon  his  indorsement;  that  the  total 
to  be  expended  for  this  work  should  not  exceed  $6,000;  that  of  the  balance,  there 
fihould  be  set  aside  small  amounts  to  be  donated  to  some  of  the  general  hospitals 
on  the  island,  such  as  Bishop  Blenk  may  be  willing  to  appoint  as  being  worthy 
recipients  of  such  amounts,  and  that  the  main  portion  of  the  balance  be  retained 
for  the  support  and  maintenance  of  the  orphan  asylum  for  as  long  a  period  of  time 
as  the  money  will  allow  it  to  be  supported,  in  connection  with  such  annual  appro- 
priation as  may  be  made  by  the  city  of  Ponce  for  this  work." 

Upon  receipt  of  notification  of  the  organization  of  the  Porto  Rican  central  relief 
committee,  the  following  letter  was  addressed: 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Jtian,  P.  R. ,  August  13,  1899. 
COMMANDING  GENERAL.  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  In  order  that  the  general  committee  in  the  United  States,  appointed  by  the 
Secretary  of  War  at  your  request  to  receive  such  contributions  as  may  be  made 
in  the  United  States  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  from  the  recent  huiricane  in 
Porto  Rico,  may  be  enabled  to  appreciate  the  food  requirements  here,  I  have  the 
honor  to  submit  the  following  estimate: 

Probable  indigents  requiring  food.  250,000;  probable  length  of  time  before  food 
crop  can  be  raised,  fifteen  weeks.  Allowing  two  weeks  for  contingencies,  we  will 
have  to  feed  250,000  people  one  hundred  and  twenty  days. 

Based  upon  this  estimate  of  time  and  numbers,  and  allowing  1  pound  of  food  per 
day  for  each  individual,  it  will  be  seen  that  30,000,000  pounds  of  food  will  be 
required  for  the  relief  of  hunger  in  Porto  Rico. 


284   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

The  simplest,  most  effective,  and  acceptable  ration  will  consist  of  beans,  rice, 
and  codfish  or  bacon,  in  proportion  of  3  pounds  ea^h  of  beans  and  rice  and  1 
pound  of  codfish  or  bacon  per  week. 

On  this  basis  the  supply  for  each  week  will  consist  of— 

Pounds. 

Rice  _ 750.000 

Beans 750,000 

Codfish  or  bacon. .  250, 000 


Total __• 1,750,000 

The  island  has  been  divided  into  75  depots  of  distribution  and  17 'districts  as 
indicated  by  the  inclosed  order,  exclusive  of  the  general  depot  at  San  Juan,  giving 
an  average  requirement  for  each  district  of  12^  tons  per  week,  to  transport  which 
will  require  10  carts,  20  men,  and  40  oxen;  a  total  of  700  carts,  1,400  men,  and 
2,800  oxen. 

Estimated  cost  for  seventeen  weeks: 

1 2,750,000  pounds  rice,  at  5  cents  per  pound §037, 500 

12,750,000  pounds  beans,  at  3  cents  per  pound 382, 500 

4,350,000  pounds  codfish,  at  8  cents  per  pound 340, 000 

Transportation: 

700  carts  for  seventeen  weeks,  at  $10  per  week 119, 000 

Sundries  .  10. 000 


1,489,000 

Bacon  would  cost  one- third  more. 

No  estimate  has  been  made  for  medicines,  personal  service,  clothing,  etc.,  which 
will  doubtless  amount  to  at  least  §51,000,  making  a  grand  total  of  $1,549,000. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing  that  Porto  Rico  wants  from  your  committee 
food  in  its  simplest  and  least  expensive  form.  If  the  committee  can  obtain  from 
the  charitably  inclined  of  our  country  one  million  and  a  half  dollars,  and  it  is 
expended  judiciously  and  in  accordance  with  your  request,  it  is  believed  that  it 
will  be  unnecessary  for  anyone  to  die  of  starvation  here.  Supplies  other  than 
food  will  of  course  be  acceptable,  but  their  purchase  should  not  be  allowed  to 
impair  the  ration  fund  of  one  and  a  half  millions,  which  should  be  applied  to  this 
purpose  and  this  alone.  It  is  hoped  that  the  number  of  indigent  has  been  over- 
estimated, and  that  in  any  event  the  resumption  of  labor  on  public  works  on  the 
island  will  enable  the  people  to  purchase  their  own  food,  but  I  can  not  believe  that 
with  the  almost  total  destruction  of  crops  of  all  kinds  that  we  can  hope  for  a  much 
less  demand  upon  our  charitable  people  than  above  set  forth. 

Many  families  are  homeless  and  clotheless,  but  houses  in  this  country  may  be 
and  a  large  proportion  are  constructed  from  the  bark  of  the  nearest  palm  tree,  while 
clothes,  though  desirable,  are  not  the  sine  qua  non  to  existence  which  food  is. 

If  our  people  give  more  than  the  above-mentioned  sum,  it  can  be  applied  to  many 
worthy  uses,  but  until  that  sum  is  absolutely  in  hand  I  beg  that  any  money 
received  will  be  spent  for  food  only,  to  be  purchased  through  the  commissary 
department,  and  that  no  purchase  be  made  except  upon  your  request. 

I  might  add  that  strenuous  orders  have  been  issued  directing  that  no  able-bodied 
man  shall  receive  food  unless  he  rendered  an  equivalent  in  work  and  that  all  mis- 
use of  said  supplies  will  be  punished  by  fine  or  imprisonment.  The  whole  object 
of  the  board  is  to  feed  the  starving,  and  at  the  same  time  prevent  them  from  being 
pauperized. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A., 

President  of  Board. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  this  board  had  no  knowledge  of  any 
source  of  food  supply  for  the  famished  here  beyond  the  charitable 
offerings  of  the  people  at  home;  hence  its  anxiety  that  all  resources- 
be  husbanded  and  applied  to  the  purchase  of  food. 

On  September  12  the  board  received  the  following  letter: 

NEW  YORK,  September  12,  1899. 
Maj.  JOHN  VAN  RENSSELAER  HOFF, 

Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  Board  of  Charities, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  letter  of  September  2,  acknowledging  receipt  of  shipment  made 
by  the  Porto  Rican  relief  committee  of  the  merchants'  association  consigned  to 
Porto  Rico,  by  the  steamship  Evelyn,  came  duly  to  hand  this  morning. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        285 

I  received  to-day  a  telegram  from  the  Adjutant- General  at  Washington  asking 
me  to  hereafter  consign  all  goods  to  the  Board  of  Charities  of  San  Juan,  of  which 
you  are  chairman.  His  suggestion  will  be  adopted. 

I  would  write  you  more  at  length  concerning  what  is  being  done  here  to  aid  in 
this  matter,  but  the  results  in  the  shape  of  shipments  will  show  you  how  far  we 
are  accomplishing  our  desires  in  this  matter.  From  these  results  you  will  see 
what  the  interest  of  all  of  us  in  this  work  mnst  be,  and  therefore  I  trust  no  further 
•excuse  for  lack  of  detailed  information  will  be  necessary. 

Assuring  you  of  our  desire  to  heartily  cooperate,  I  am, 

Very  truly,  yours,  WM.  R.  CORWINE, 

The  Central  Porto  Rican  Relief  Committee. 

Which  was  answered  as  follows: 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  September  20,  1899. 
WILLIAM  R.  CORWINE,  Esq., 

Secretary  Porto  Rican  Relief  Committee,  New  York  City. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  I  have  your  favor  of  the  12th  instant,  which  reached  me  this 
«,.  m.  The  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  congratulates  itself  that  the  central 
committee  at  home  has  so  active  and  enthusiastic  an  executive  officer,  and  one 
who  so  thoroughly  understands  the  people  we  are  all  trying  to  help. 

General  Davis  has  set  forth  in  various  communications  the  vital  requirements 
of  the  situation,  which  will  enable  your  committee  to  appreciate  the  extent  of  the 
problem  before  us. 

The  greatest  difficulty  we  labor  under  is  to  get  at  the  exact  truth.  We  have  to 
do  with  a  strange  people,  speaking  an  unknown  tongue,  whose  education,  busi- 
ness, moral  standards,  everything,  differ  from  our  own.  They  have  for  genera- 
tions been  held  in  the  hollow  of  the  Spanish  hand  and  taught  to  look  to  their 
master  for  all  things.  Unity  of  action,  independence  of  thought,  initiative  in 
•every  direction  have  been  discouraged  for  all  these  years,  until  as  a  result  there 
exists  in  Porto  Rico  to-day  a  race  of  naturally  bright,  but  generally  uneducated 
and  unscrupulous,  children,  who  look  to  the  Government  as  a  child  to  its  father, 
and  who  hesitate  not  to  deceive  that  favor  may  follow. 

This  people  have  literally  obeyed  the  scriptural  teaching  to  take  no  heed  of  the 
morrow,  nor  do  they  lay  up  for  themselves  treasures  upon  earth  (probably  because 
they  know  too  well  that  neighboring  thieves  will  break  through  and  steal ).  Thus 
any  catastrophe  finds  them  wholly  unprepared,  and  if  that  catastrophe  reaches 
the  bounteous  food  supply  that  nature  furnishes,  they  are  lost. 

The  hurricane  destroyed  the  food,  which  cannot  be  reproduced  under  three 
months,  and  during  this  time  we  must  subsist  a  large  percentage  of  the  population. 

A  consolidated  report  of  this  board  for  the  week  ending  the  9th,  which  accom- 
panies General  Dayis's  letter  to  you,  will  furnish  you  with  the  idea  upon  which 
this  board  is  working. 

It  is  hoped  that,  by  more  rigid  inspections  and  an  awakening  of  the  better  classes 
to  a  realizing  sense  of  the  fact  that  they  must  help  themselves  and  this  board  by 
seeing  that  no  unworthy  one  is  fed,  we  will  be  able  to  somewhat  reduce  the  large 
percentage  of  indigency  now  reported.  But  this  is  by  no  means  certain. 

General  Davis  has  told  you  what  we  need,  to  which  I  can  add  nothing.  But 
that  you  may  know  something  of  the  methods  of  administration  of  this  board,  I 
send  you  various  orders,  circulars,  blanks,  etc.,  which  are  an  epitome  of  its  history. 

At  this  moment  we  are  making  a  sort  of  partnership  agreement  with  the  plant- 
ers and  peons  which  we  hope  will  prove  valuable  to  all  three,  but  unfortunately 
its  value  largely  depends  upon  the  man  behind  the  machete.  In  any  event,  how- 
ever, it  will  enlist  the  planters  on  our  side. 

I  trust  you  were  not  startled  by  the  board's  requisition  for  medicines.  Demands 
for  medicines  are  numerous  and  varied,  and  if  we  can  meet  them  at  not  too  great 
cost  it  is  an  effort  in  the  direction  of  humanity. 

The  clothing  you  have  sent  and  that  supplied  by  the  Woman's  Aid  Society  of 
San  Juan  helps  to  cover  the  nakedness  which  is  habitually  too  apparent.  The 
beans,  rice,  and  codfish  flow  in  weekly;  so,  all  things  considered,  Porto  Rico  might 
be  in  a  worse  plight,  but  not  much  worse. 

Change  of  government,  change  of  markets,  the  going  out  of  the  old,  the  coming 
in  of  the  new,  means  but  the  same  old  story  of  the  survival  of  the  fittest.  The 
hurricane  was  a  dreadful  blow,  but  it  will  hasten  the  cure  of  a  disease  so  radical 
that  the  deepest  cutting,  even  to  the  vitals,  alone  would  suffice. 

Trusting  that  our  people  will  be  willing  to  bear  the  added  burdens  that  Porto 
Rico's  hurricane  has  thrust  upon  them,  and  that  your  committee  will  be  entirely 
successful  in  its  undertaking,  I  remain, 

Very  truly,  yours,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 


286       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

By  reference  to  the  foregoing  resume  it  will  be  observed  that  large* 
demands  were  made  upon  the  central  committee  for  medical  supplies. 
Nothing  daunted  by  the  unfamiliar  order,  the  matter  \\as  at  once 
undertaken  and  the  much-needed  supplies  were  soon  en  route. 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  October  13,  1899.. 
WILLIAM  R.  CORWINE,  Esq., 

Secretary  Porto  Rican  Relief  Committee,  New  York  City. 

SIR:  Much  obliged  for  your  letter  of  the  3d  instant  and  glad  to  hear  that  the 
medicines,  etc..  are  en  route.  You  will  observe  from  the  inclosed  consolidated 
weekly  report  that  there  is  a  considerable  amount  of  sickness  for  which  medicines 
are  demanded  of  the  board  of  charities.  These  people  have  really  made  no  ade- 
quate provisions  tor  the  care  of  their  sick  anywhere  on  the  island.  Their  so-called 
municipal  hospitals  are  barns,  without  furniture  or  anything  else  to  conduce 
either  to  recovery  or  to  easy  death. 

The  truth  of  the  matter  is,  we  expect  too  much  of  Porto  Ricans.  They  are  a 
hundred  years  behind  the  times,  and  with  the  best  coaching  it.  will  take  them  fifty 
years  to  catch  up. 

Your  kind  words  about  the  Army  are  appreciated.  We  try  to  do  what  comes 
to  our  hand  to  the  best  of  our  ability.  The  motive  is  always  right  and  the  results 
must  answer  for  themselves. 

Am  sorry  our  people  have  lost  active  interest  in  Porto  Rican  relief,  though  not 
surprised.  It  would  be  a  national  disgrace  if  any  considerable  number  of  people 
here  should  die  of  starvation,  and  that  is  exactly  what  would  happen  if  a  constant 
stream  of  food  failed  to  flow  in  from  home.  The  chronic  poverty  here  is  distress- 
ing and  would  be  fatal  in  almost  any  other  climate.  Nature  has  been  kind  to  the 
individual  and  not  to  the  race.  The  population  is  not  a  survival  of  the  fittest,  but 
of  all  kinds,  so  that  the  vast  majority  of  Porto  Ricans,  descendants  of  unnumbered 
generations  of  semistarved  ancestors,  live  in  abject  poverty,  ignorance,  and 
degradation.  We  can  not  let  them  starve;  so  we  must  feed  and  clothe  them  now, 
educate  them  later,  and  gradually  bring  them  to  an  appreciation  of  the  meaning 
and  blessings  of  being  a  part  of  our  nation.  There  is  here  a  fallow  field  in  which 
to  plant  the  seeds  of  knowledge,  but  we  must  not  expect  a  crop  before  we  do  the 
planting. 

The  work  of  your  committee  is  a  real  charity  and  deserving  of  thorough  support 
and  success. 

Very  truly,  yours,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

The  medical  supplies  having  arrived,  were  duty  acknowledged  as 
follows: 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  October  30.  1899. 
WILLIAM  R.  CORWINE,  Esq., 

Secretary  Central  Porto  Rico  Relief  Committee, 

New  York  City. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favors  of  the  17th  and  18th  instant  reached  me  in  due  course  of 
mail.  Of  the  medical  supplies  invoiced,  the  board  has  received  up  to  the  present 
88  boxes,  1  cask,  and  9  bales,  which  represent  about  one  half  of  the  total  number. 
The  remainder,  I  presume,  will  come  later.  Thank  you  very  much  for  these  sup- 
plies, which  came  in  excellent  condition,  as  do  all  goods  shipped  under  your 
auspices.  This  fact  has  been  remarked  from  the  beginning,  and  there  is  no  legiti- 
mate reason  why  anything  sent  from  the  merchants'  association  should  fail  to 
reach  its  destination,  wind,  weather,  and  other  uncontrollable  causes  permitting. 

As  I  wrote  you  in  my  last,  relief  efforts  are  being  more  and  more  directed 
toward  the  mountain  districts — the  coffee  region. 

Our  scheme  of  combination  with  the  planters  and  peons,  of  which  I  wrote  you, 
is  developing  to  an  unexpected  extent.  I  thought  that  not  over  500  planters  would 
desire  to  accept  the  assistance  of  this  board,  but  already  we  have  over  '3,000  appli- 
cations, embracing  requests  for  an  aggregate  of  200,000  rations  per  day. 

All  applications  are  being  carefully  investigated  before  the  agreement  is  con- 
summated, and  the  consensus  of  opinion  is  that  good  will  result  from  this  plan. 
I  send  you  the  consolidated  weekly  report  for  the  21st  instant.'  No  material 
change  is  observed  from  the  reports  of  previous  weeks.  Reports  which  reach  the 
superior  board  of  health  (of  which  I  am  also  president)  indicate  that  there  is  an 
increasing  amount  of  dysentery,  especially  in  the  mountain  districts,  and  a  marked 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   287 

increase  in  the  normal  death  rate,  which  is  26.6  per  thousand.  By  reference  to 
current  reports  of  the  board  of  charities  it  will  be  observed  that  the  present  rate 
is  double  the  average  rate. 

The  unexpected  arrival  of  the  BurnHde,  with  100  tons,  and  Resolute,  with  360 
tons,  has  tilled  our  storehouse  and  enabled  us  to  meet  the  probable  demands  of 
November.  In  fact.  General  Davis  cabled  the  Secretary  of  War  asking  that  no 
more  relief  supplies  be  sent  until  specifically  requested,  and  it  is  quite  probable 
that  very  little  more  will  be  needed  for  December  and  none  after  the  first  of  the 
year.  Porto  Rico  can  not  sufficiently  thank  you  and  your  committee  for  the  kindly 
efforts  in  their  behalf,  the  result  of  which  will  become  more  apparent  to  them  and 
the  world  at  large  when  the  history  of  this  great  charitable  effort  comes  to  be 
written. 

We  are  greatly  shocked  to  hear  of  the  death  of  General  Kenry.  His  shattered 
frame  had  so  long  and  so  often  resisted  the  attacks  of  the  life  destroyer  that  we  of 
the  Army  had  come  to  believe  thai/ he  bore  a  charmed  life  and  that  only  age  and 
wear  would  gradually  lay  him  low,  but  such  was  not  to  be.  He  was  a  soldier, 
and,  as  General  Davis  said,  "  a  patriot  and  lover  of  Porto  Rico." 

Trusting  that  you  are  well,  I  remain, 
Very  truly,  yours, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

November  13  the  president  of  the  board  addressed  Mr.  Corwine  as 
follows : 

DEAR  SIR:  I  return  you  herewith  the  landing  certificate  for  1,460  bags  of  rice 
received  via  S.  S.  Philadelphia,  duly  signed  and  certified,  and  will  send  details  of 
receipt  of  the  shipment  of  medicines  as  soon  as  report  reaches  me  from  the  officer 
in  charge  of  the  medical  supply  depot.  I  am  just  in  from  an  inspecting  tour  in 
the  mountains,  where  I  found  considerable  serious  illness,  quite  an  epidemic  of 
dysentery,  but,  thank  God.  no  one  dead  of  acute  starvation.  In  the  work  we 
have  had  to  do  here  I  have  recognized  but  one  paramount  rule,  viz,  "  No  one  shall 
starve  to  death,"  and  I  believe  we  have  been  successful  in  keeping  up  to  it.  Eco- 
nomic considerations  were  to  the  board  of  charities  secondary,  and  though  we 
have  striven  mightily  to  fit  them  into  their  proper  relation,  after  all,  the  main 
question  was  human  life.  That  an  appalling  loss  of  life  has  not  occurred  in  Porto 
Rico  is  due  solely  to  the  fact  that  the  United  States  has  presented  the  people  here 
with  20,000,000  pounds  of  food. 

I  have  had  many  plans  suggested  to  relieve  the  economic  situation  here,  all  of 
which  involved  the  obtaining  of  money,  apparently  from  some  supernatural  source 
by  supernatural  means,  but  I  have  yet  to  meet  a  man  thoroughly  familiar  with  the 
situation  who  failed  to  appreciate  that  imported  food  was  now  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  life  in  Porto  Rico,  and  that  until  the  above-referred-to  supernatural  agency 
should  get  to  work,  food  would  have  to  be  distributed  gratuitously. 

The  practical  fact  is  that  the  money  lenders  have  locked  up  the  money  and  will 
not -lend  it  on  any  security  now  offering;  but  there  is  just  as  much  money  here  as 
there  ever  was  and  the  security  is  just  as  good,  only  the  relation  of  Porto  Rico  to 
the  United  States  is  undetermined,  and  until  this  is  settled  capital  will  remain 
timid.  Nobody  ever  failed  to  be  able  to  borrow  when  he  could  furnish  satisfac- 
tory security  and  was  willing  to  pay  enough  for  it;  and  that  is  just  as  true  here  as 
anywhere,  but  the  security  here  depends  upon  legislation — and  for  that  reason 
more  than  any  other  the  hurricane  was  most  inopportune.  We  must  wait  for 
legislation  and  look  with  suspicion  upon  any  scheme  which  proposes  a  panacea  to 
cure  evils  which  all  business  experience  has  proved  can  be  cured  in  but  one  way — 
the  restoration  of  confidence.  In  a  year  from  now  Porto  Rico  will  be  in  the  midst 
of  a  great  boom;  people  will  then  forget  that  famine  and  death  ever  impended 
over,  this  fair  island.  But  you  and  I  will  remember  that  the  United  States  beans, 
rice,  and  codfish  a  year  before  saved  thousands  of  lives,  and  that  no  one  of  the 
numberless  proposed  patent  remedies  helped  even  a  little  bit. 

I  don't  often  wander  so  far  afield  in  my  business  communications,  but  I  trust 
you  will  pardon  this  digression  and  attribute  it  to  levity  on  the  part  of  one  who 
has  had  a  great  task  to  perform,  and  now,  almost  seeing  its  fruition,  is  putting 
off  his  garments  of  care  and  taking  his  fling  at  the  doctrinaires  who  are  ever  ready 
to  pull  down  the  house  but  never  prepared  to  put  up  a  better  one  in  its  place. 

Trusting  you  are  well.  I  remain. 

Very  truly,  yours,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 


288       REPOET    OF    THE    BOAKD    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

Unfortunately,  the  above-expressed  hope  of  an  early  completion  of 
the  work  of  relief  was  not  realized,  and  it  yet  dragged  on  for  several 
weary  mouths. 

As  the  originally  estimated  period  of  relief  work  was  drawing  to  a 
close,  on  the  19th  of  December,  the  secretary  of  the  central  committee 
wrote : 

We  are  discussing  now  the  advisability  of  putting  our  surplus  funds  in  the 
building  of  an  asylum  or  hospital  somewhere  on  the  island  where  one  or  both  will 
do  the  most  good.  The  suggestion  for  this  came  originally  from  General  Davis, 
with  whom  I  communicated  as  to  the  best  use  which  could  be  made  of  surplus 
funds. 

Before  the  organization  of  the  central  committee  many  cities  formed 
committees  of  their  own,  and  money  and  material  was  sent  direct  from 
them  for  the  relief  of  Porto  Rico. 

August  27  the  U.  S.  gunboat  Panther  brought  a  load  of  material 
from  Philadelphia  at  a  most  opportune  moment  and,  what  is  more, 
distributed  it  from  port  to  port  under  great  difficulties.  The  season 
was  a  tumultuous  one,  the  water  very  rough,  and  landing  often  impos- 
sible. The  rain  came  in  torrents,  the  air  was  tilled  with  rumors  of 
approaching  hurricanes,  and  the  stevedores  refused  to  work.  What 
wonder  that  Captain  Ward  and  his  gallant  crew  were  beset  with  diffi- 
culties; but  he  conquered  them  all  and,  with  little  loss  of  food,  which 
was  compensated  for  by  celerity  of  delivery,  brought  life  and  comfort 
from  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love  to  Borinquen.  Then  came  the  IT.  S. 
transport  Wright  with  the  Baltimore  and  Washington  contributions,- 
under  charge  of  Mr.  Leser,  followed  by  the  Resolute,  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  gallant  Commander  Kelley,  U.  S.  N.  Besides  those  the 
Evelyn,  Philadelphia,  Hildeur,  and  two  schooners  (consigned  to  De 
Ford  &  Co.)  arrived  with  relief  supplies. 

As  set  forth  in  the  foregoing  statement  of  accounts,  this  board 
received  over  $16,000  in  cash  from  various  sources,  chiefly  in  the 
United  States. 

The  Maritime  Association  of  the  Port  of  New  York  was  the  most 
liberal  contributor,  through  its  chairman,  Mr.  Harry  T.  Knowlton. 

The  Porto  Rico  Steamship  Company  and  the  Red  D  Line  not  only 
contributed  largely,  but  their  ships  were  placed  at  our  disposal  for 
the  free  transportation  of  relief  supplies. 

The  cable  companies  all  volunteered  their  lines  for  the  free  trans- 
mission of  messages. 

The  French  railroad  and  those  to  Santurce  and  Bayamon  helped  in 
the  battle  against  starvation. 

England  assisted  with  the  contribution  of  £100  from  Messrs.  Starert, 
Legomala  &  Co. ,  of  Manchester.  Nor  was  Porto  Rico  unrepresented, 
a  few  of  her  citizens  contributing  liberally  to  help  their  suffering 
fellows. 

A  detailed  list  of  contributors,  so  far  as  it  was  possible  to  obtain  the 
names  of  such,  is  a  part  of  this  report. 

The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  receipts  and  disbursements  of 
the  "contribution  fund,"  Porto  Rico  relief: 

Receipts  from  subscriptions  and  sales  of  supplies  and  sacks. . $16, 336. 82 

Disbursements,  as  per  vouchers w .     12, 734. 07 

Balance 3.602.75 

Deposited  with  De  Ford  &  Co ...   .  178. 19 

Deposited  with  American  Colonial  Ban   3,424.56 


.A     I  I     I  I 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIE§    OF    PORTO    RICO.        289 

THE  WOMAN'S  AID  SOCIETY  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

This  society,  organized  by  Mrs.  Henry  during  the  incumbency  of 
General  Henry  as  military  governor,  had  been  meeting  and  overcom- 
ing immense  difficulties  during  the  six  months  preceding  the  hurri- 
cane. Its  members  had  organized  for  charity  where  organization  for 
such  a  purpose  was  unknown.  They  had  entered  a  field  which  was 
entirely  new — a  field  which  was  so  broad  in  its  possibilities  and  so 
obviously  in  need  of  attention  in  every  direction  that  any  undertak- 
ing by  them  with  their  extremely  limited  means  seemed  predestined 
to  failure.  Such  a  large  proportion  of  the  population  was  in  need  of 
assistance  of  one  kind  or  another,  and  so  few  of  those  who  knew  the 
people  and  their  language  understood  the  methods  of  the  society,  that 
the  usual  obstacles  met  in  organizing  for  any  new  work  were  greatly 
increased.  But  by  unceasing  and  strenuous  efforts  these  few  Ameri- 
can ladies  surmounted  every  obstacle  and  long  before  August  were 
carrying  out  a  system  of  aid  to  worthy  women  in  San  Juan,  which  was 
a  veritable  godsend  to  hundreds  and  the  like  of  which  was  unknown 
to  the  Porto  Ricans.  Their  self-imposed  labor  was  continually  being 
added  to  as  the  news  of  the  good  produced  spread,  and  at  the  time  of 
the  hurricane  it  seemed  that  to  add  to  their  responsibilities  was  a 
physical  impossibility.  But  the  same  tireless  energy  which  carried 
them  through  the  difficulties  of  the  beginning  enabled  them  to  suc- 
cessfully meet  the  additional  duties  that  naturally  fell  to  their  lot  as 
a  consequence  of  the  storm  of  August. 

The  relations  of  the  society  to  the 'board  of  charities  were  most  inti- 
mate throughout  the  period  of  relief  work.  Their  method  of  relief  is 
fully  described  in  the  first  annual  report  of  the  society,  a  most  inter- 
esting and  valuable  document.  It  was  one  by  which  they  supervised 
the  making  and  distribution  of  clothing. 

The  board  received  an  abundance  of  clothing  from  the  United  States 
and  also  a  large  amount  of  material  for  such.  This  latter  was  inva- 
riably sent  to  the  Woman's  Aid  Society,  which  supervised  its  manu- 
facture into  clothing  and  subsequent  distribution. 

Urgent  requests  for  clothes  of  all  kinds  were  being  constantly 
received,  both  from  division  inspectors  and  the  civil  authorities. 
They  were  frequently  referred  to  the  Woman's  Aid  Society,  which 
had  perforce  been  transformed  from  a  local  to  an  insular  charitable 
organization. 

The  following  cases  show  the  variety  of  sources  of  requests  and  the 
courses  pursued : 

On  November  14  the  division  inspector,  Aibonito,  forwarded  a  re- 
quest by  some  Porto  Ricans  for  clothing,  with  the  following  indorsement : 

Respectfully  forwarded  to  the  board  of  charities,  San  Juan,  P.  R.  Would  sug- 
gest that  cloth  be  sent  here  and  these  people  could  make  it  up  for  their  children. 

This  was  referred  to  the  aid  society  and  returned  indorsed  as 
follows : 

WOMAN'S  AID  SOCIETY  OF  SAN  JUAN, 

San  Juan,  November  19,  1899. 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico. 
This  society  has  no  material  to  furnish,  but  will  send  100  garments  at  the 
earliest  possible  date. 

LAVINIA  D.  HOFF, 
President  Woman's  Aid  Society  of  Porto  Rico. 

In  December  the  local  board  of  charities  at  Aguas  Buenas  requested 
clothing.  After  due  investigation  the  letter  was  referred  to  the  aid 

19709—01 19 


290   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

society  and  returned  with  the  information  that  "  the  within-requested 
clothing  will  be  furnished  at  the  earliest  possible  moment." 

In  the  same  month  the  division  inspector,  Lares,  forwarded  a  report 
of  the  noncommissioned  officer  at  San  Sebastian,  stating  that  the  13 
patients  in  the  municipal  hospital  were  in  a  deplorable  condition  and 
urgently  requesting  that  clothing  and  bedding  be  sent. 

The  following  indorsements  show  the  course  pursued : 

[First  indorsement.] 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  December  27,  1899. 

Respectfully  referred  to  the  Woman's  Aid  Society,  San  Juan,  there  being  no 
clothing  or  other  like  material  in  possession  of  the  board  of  charities. 
By  direction  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico: 

P.  R.  EGAN, 
Secretary  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

[Second  indorsement.] 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico. 
The  clothing  and  bedding,  with  the  exception  of  cot  covers,  have  been  sent  as 
requested. 

LAVINIA  D.  HOFF, 

President  Woman's  Aid  Society  of  Porto  Rico. 
SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  January  5,  1900. 

That  the  work  of  the  society  was  becoming  widely  known  through- 
out the  island  is  evidenced  by-  the  following  letter  from  Morovis 
addresses  to  its  president: 

MOROVIS,  P.  R.,  March  1,  1900. 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  WOMAN'S  AID  SOCIETY.  San  Juan,  P.  R. 
(Through  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico.) 

MADAM:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  there  is  a  great  number  of  women 
and  girls  in  my  parish  who  will  not  go  out  of  their  respective  houses  because  of 
the  absolute  want  of  clothing;  consequently  I  hereby  apply  to  you  as  president  of 
said  society  for  the  necessary  material  to  supply  14  or  20  persons  in  each  barrio  of 
this  district.  I  will  take  charge  of  the  distribution  myself  so  that  the  work  will 
be  satisfactorily  done. 

I  remain,  madam,  your  obedient  servant, 

RAFAEL  FUNTANE, 
President  Local  Board  of  Charities. 
NOTE.— The  barrios  are  12. 

The  letter  followed  the  usual  course,  the  indorsement  of  the  aid 
society  being  as  follows: 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico.  Clothing  has 
been  sent  as  requested. 

LAVINIA  D.  HOFF, 
President  Woman's  Aid  Society  of  Porto  Rico. 

These  were  but  a  few  of  the  cases,  and  merely  show  the  course  pur- 
sued in  this  connection.  They  do  not  adequately  serve  to  indicate 
the  extent  of  the  cooperation  of  the  aid  society  with  this  board,  nor 
the  large  amount  and  importance  of  its  charity  work.  The  society 
filled  an  important  part  in  the  completed  scheme  of  organization  for 
relief. 

The  board,  of  course,  was  pleased  to  be  of  any  assistance  to  the 
society  in  its  local  work,  and,  on  occasion,  turned  over  to  it,  for  use 
among  the  indigent,  such  available  food  or  other  material  as  was 
required. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES^  OF    PORTO    RICO.        291 

The  following  letter  was  received  in  February: 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R. 
BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Woman's  Aid  Society  of  Porto  Rico  desire  to  express  to  yon 
their  grateful  appreciation  of  the  generous  assistance  you  have  rendered  to  their 
work  through  all  the  months  of  this  first  year  of  the  existence  of  their  society. 
They  hope  you  can  realize  how  much  good  you  have  helped  them  to  do  in  every 
way  by  the  food,  clothing,  and  materials  you  have  supplied.  They  are  specially 
grateful  for  your  kind  response  to  their  appeal  at  Christmas,  making  it  possible 
for  them  to  give  the  poor  people  of  San  Juan  such  a  memorable  day.  Hoping  that 
the  close  connection  between  your  work  and  ours  will  always  enable  us  to  keep 
your  confidence,  we  are, 

Most  gratefully,  yours, 

Mrs.  EVELYN  E.  WHIPPLE, 
Secretary  Woman's  Aid  Society  of  Porto  Rico, 
FEBRUARY  9,  1900. 

To  which  reply  was  made  as  follows: 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  February  13,  1900. 
SECRETARY  OF  THE  WOMAN'S  AID  SOCIETY  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

MADAM:  In  acknowledging  your  kind  letter  of  the  9th  instant  I  am  instructed 
by  the  board  to  express  its  highest  appreciation  of  the  assistance  rendered  it  by 
your  society.  Through  all  these  months  of  struggle  to  keep  the  bodies  and  souls 
of  thousands  of  hungry,  homeless,  clotheless  people  together  we  could  always 
rely  upon  the  Woman's  Aid  to  help  effectively  when  help  was  most  needed,  and  we 
have  never  called  for  assistance  that  has  not  been  speedily  given.  Trusting  that 
your  admirable  society  may  be  able  to  continue  indefinitely  the  excellent  work 
done  by  it  during  its  year  of  existence,  I  remain,  with  assurances  of  distinguished 
consideration. 
By  direction  of  the  Board  of  Charities. 

P.  R.  EGAN, 
Secretary  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

Too  much  credit  can  not  be  given  to  the  Woman's  Aid  Society  of 
Porto  Rico  for  the  valuable  aid  rendered  to  those  who  were  under- 
taking the  relief  of  the  hurricane  sufferers.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  such  general  work  was  entirely  beyond  the  original  intentions  of 
the  society,  and  that  its  local  charity  work  was  at  any  time  a  large 
undertaking,  but  had  naturally  greatly  increased  as  a  consequence  of 
the  storm. 


LIST  OF  CONTRIBUTORS  TO  CONTRIBUTION  FUND. 

Aplin,  A.  L. ,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich ; $50. 00 

American  Book  Company,  New  York 250. 00 

Bitter,  John,  commissary  sergeant,  U.  S.  A. ,  San  Juan 5. 00 

Bolton,  Bliss  &  Dallet  (Red  D  Steamship  Company) ,  New  York 1, 000. 00 

Cruz,  Eusebio  Collago 2.  40 

Erlanger,  Baron,  London, England. 1,000.00 

Fathers  of  Redemption,  San  Juan ..... 10. 00 

Groff.  George  G.,  San  Juan -    10.00 

Headquarters  Department,  personnel: 

Gen. George  W.Davis ...  ..   $25.00 

Col.C.H.Heyl..- _      20.00 

Maj.J.V.R.Hoff 25.00 

Maj.  Jas.  Buchanan 20.00 

Maj.  Thomas  Cruse ...       5. 00 

Capt.  G.  Langhorn 15.00 

Lieut.  James  J.  Hornbrook 10. 00 

W. Reeves _ . 5.00 

R.W.Hettenger  ....   2.00 

Z.  V.  Spinoza .._..... 5. 00 


292       REPORT    OF   THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

Headquarters  Department  personnel — Continued. 

Hulio  F.Anduz $5.00 

J.  E.  Hinzman ..- 5. 00 

I.  Da  Costa  Gomez „  5.00 

F.W.Hawes ...: 5.00 

Isaac  Hamilton _ 5.00 

Edmund  Brock 5.00 

W.H.Evans ..-• 5.00 

John  Smith ..  .       5.00 

P.W.Burnhorn 4.00 

M.E.Hughes... .. -..       5.00 

Leon  Chapuis ,.        3.00 

A.H.Hersey . ... 5.00 

C.H.Gray  .. 5.00 

H.F.Besosa _ -      5.00 

E.R.West 2.00 

L.T.Zbinden... 5.00 

Harold  W.  Co  wper ...: 5.00 

$211.00 

Joy, Lorenzo  (from  sale  of  contributed  coffee)... -  3.00 

Kneedler,  William  L., New  York _ 25.00 

Kurka,  Frank 5.00 

Light-house  keepers,  Brinckend  (Eulalio  Hernandez,  Lorenzo  Castro) ...          2. 00 

Ligomala,  Stannert  &  Co. ,  Manchester,  England 495. 00 

Lodge  of  Regeneration,  San  Juan,  P.  R 15. 00 

Lyon&Healy 25.00 

Maritime  Exchange,  The 8,311.50 

Marxauch,  Dr.  Jose _ 60.00 

Miller,  Bull  &  Knowlton,  New  York  and  Porto  Rico  Steamship  Company .      500. 00 

Miiller,  Schall  &  Co 500.00 

Navy,  officers  and  enlisted  men  of,  San  Juan: 

Marine  Guard,  N.  S $8.20 

A.  S.  Snow 10.00 

L.  C.  Lucas -._. ..      5.00 

C.  W.  Parks 5.00 

W.  R.  Gheradi 5.00 

F.  W.  F.  Weiber  _ _ 5.00 

F.  A.  Sawyer. 5.00 

W.  Y.  O'Brien.. 3.00 

B.  Frenkel 1.00 

S.  Leroold-. 1.00 

Robert  E.  Lindsay 5.00 

A.  Wilson... 1.00 

N.Mitchel.. 60 

John  Ostman 1.00 

JohnVelsor 1.00 

S.  Caprellman 1.00 

T.  Firing 1.00 

William  M.  Jasobo 1.00 

Walter  M.  St.  Elmo 2.50 

Crew  of  U.  S. S.  Ccesar .   7.50 

69. 80 

New  York  Produce  Exchange 1 , 554. 00 

Pilots  of  San  Juan: 

Antonio  Rodriquez _ $20.00 

Florentine-  Scotoliff 20. 00 

Juan  Santiago  Escoboles... :.     20.00 

Juan  Garcia...  ..   20.00 

Vitelio  Ramires  y  Gutienez '..  20.00 


100.00        60.00 

Porto  Rico  Central  Relief  Committee 500. 00 

Penitentiary.  Porto  Rico  (prisoners): 

Raymon  Herrera $2. 00 

Alverto  Morales 2.00 

Jose  Belmonte 2. 00 

JoseM.  Gali 1.50 

Jose  Adomar  . .  2. 00 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO  RICO.        293 

Penitentiary,  Porto  Rico— Continued. 

Eladio  Mercado..- , $4.00 

Ines  Gonzalez - 2.00 

Raphael  Vasquez. -  -  4. 00 

Tomas  Diaz  Torres - 2.00 

BenitoRojas 2.00 

Nicolas  de  Tolenkins - ----  2.00 

Juan  Hernandez  Rivera 2.00 

Francisco  Lopez  Ortiz 2. 00 

Juan  Raphael  Mercado 2.00 

Jose  Rodriquez  Incognito 3. 00 

Jose  Ramon  Vargas 2. 00 

Antonio  Lasalle 1-00 

Venancio  Adoma -  - 2. 00 

Ramon  Rivera  Maldonado --.  2.00 

Juan  Cruz  Melendez -  -  2. 00 

Bermudo  Tomey.. - 2.00 

Virgilio  Maldonado ---- 2.00 

Sandalio  Nieves 2.00 

Jose  Rodriquez  Torres - 2.00 

Valentine  Alisea 2.00 

Remigio  Alomar 2.00 

Jose  Viscarrondo —  2.00 

JuanPagan... 1.50 

Franco  Turino L 1.50 

Jose  Lopez  Incognito  .  _ 2. 00 

Gil  Arranzainendi 2. 00 

Juan  del  Valle  Mojica 1.00 

Jose  Vincente  Rivera ,  - 2.00 

Ahafito  Rivera  Alvarez 2.00 

Alejandro  Osland. 2.00 

Genaro  Garcia  Perez .  2.00 

Antonio  Sanchez  Olizea. - ---  2.00 

Juan  Ferrer  Pomales 2. 00 

Mateo  Cubertier 1.00 

Victorio  Gomez _ 2. 00 

Damosa  Carreras. --- 1.00 

Isaac  Perez. 2.00 

Pedro  Miguel  Santiago 1.00 

Jesus  Marcano  _ 1.00 

Basilio  Soltren 1.00 

Marcos  Serrano. _ 2.00 

Pedro  Quinonez 05 

JoseSonsa  _ 1.00 

Angel  Bocachica - 2.00 

Ulncersleo  Nieves _ - 2.00 

Juan  Zaragoza  Cruz 2.00 

Juan  Nicomedez Morales 1.00 

Jose  Hulian  Mercado  . 3.00 

Antonio  Moler 4. 00 

Segundo  Lopez  Codero .- 1.00 

Celestino  Chavaria 2.00 

Pedro  Villegas 50 

Juan  Mendez  _ 1.00 

Franco  Perez  Velez 2.00 

Roque  Passain 4.00 

Franco  Rivera  Guchs 50 

Pedro  Reveria 1.00 

Jose  Sepulveda  Gonzaley _.  2. 00 

Ramon  Acevedo  , . 1.00 

Tomas  Acevido. 1.00 

Pedro  Jose  Calderon 2. 00 

Juan  Garcia  Maldito 1.00 

Juan  Caban  Roman 3. 00 

Juan  Torrez 2. 00 

Hginio  Melendez  _ _     2.00 

Placido  Martinez 2.00 

Franco  Garcia  Rivera  . .  2. 00 


294       REPORT    OF   THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

Penitentiary,  Porto  Rico— Continued. 

Juan  de  la  cruz,  Aindijar $2.00 

Sandelio  Rivera 25 

Naticidad  Oyola -.        .50 

Franco  Luis  Lugo 1 . 00 

EdurdoRojas 2.00 

Antonio  Nieves - 3.00 

Isidore  Oliveros 2.00 

Isaias  Aceverdo -.. 2. 00 

Emilio  Alvarez 2. 00 

Antonio  Lessalle  Budro .50 

Franco  Ortegadel  Valle 3.00 

Juan  Arroyo 50 

Justo  Arroyo 50 

Estevan  Torres  -  .   50 

Pedro  Vargas  .. .. 1.00 

Rufino  Medino 1.00 

Esteban  Garcia.     .50 

Pablo  Velez 50 

Qnintin  Cato...   - .50 

Franco  Marcano .50 

Demetrio  Sedeno 3. 00 

Marcelino  Melendez  . . - . . 1.00 

Angel  Perez 2.00 

Lucanio  Moralez 1.00 

Livorio  Garcia  Flores .50 

Juan  Gunenez,  Saco .50 

Felipe  Martinez  Maduro 50 

LimonsyRibe 1.00 

Joaquin  Valle  y  Tanfa 2.00 

Felix  Rodriquez 2.00 

Pedro  Benchampt _  1.00 

Genero  Lopez _ .        .50 

Ramon  de  Leon 1.00 

Cesaro  Vasque  .1 1 . 00 

Geronimo  Rijos 1 , .         .50 

Eluetrio  Terrato _ 2.00 

Juan  Rodriquez .  1.00 

Juan  Evangelista  Carrero 25 

Julio  Colon . .50 

Pedro  Rivero  Crespo 3 . 00 

Serafin  Siera _ 50 

Raphael  de  Leon  Vasquez 50 

Juan  Diaz  Garcia _ 2.25 

Escolastico  Colondres .50 

Juan  Cuitro  Prina .  _ 2.00 

Valenton  Castro. 1.00 

Eleminano  Lugo .25 

Pedro  Ruiz  Noguera 1.00 

Bias  Martinza 1. 00 

Robustiano  Gonzales 2. 00 

Jose  Seda  YcLedo 2.00 

Franco  Tigueroa 1.00 

Pablo  Trinidad  Valadre 1.00 

Juan  A.  Benet _ 50 

Jose  Manuel  Serano 50 

Jose  Franco  Serano _ 4. 00 

Juan  Rivera  Pilin 1.00 

Rufino  Giminez 50 

Jose  Ortig  Sanchez 2. 00 

Jose  Rosado 3. 00 

Manuel  Antonio  Garcia 1.00 

LueisOyala 2.00 

Toribio  Rivera 25 

Franco  Lebron 2 . 00 

Pedro  Bhionet 50 

Trilon  Landrom 1.00 

Jose  Antonio  Dapena. 1.00 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        295 

Penitentiary,  Porto  Rico— Continued. 

Camilo  Perez  j. $1.50 

Juan  MOD  tanez _ 1.50 

Manuel  Sanchez  Soto - 1.00 

Jesus  Prez -        .50 

EduardoVega 2.00 

Manuel  Crespo -        .50 

Conception  Melendez 2. 00 

Eusebio  Sanchez .50 

Wenceslas  Candebaria - 50 

Guillernio  Garcia  Nieves - 50 

Nicamor  Arnada  Pern 50 

Hilarco  del  Valle 2.00 

Elutario  Pagan - 1.00 

Isidore  Marqiez 1.00 

Manuel  Sulsona - -  -        .50 

Jaime  Bios 1.00 

Fernando  Diaz _ 25 

Jose  Astorio  Mojica  , 25 

Jacinto  Gonzalez  . _ .25 

Fermin  Lopez  Negron 25 

Eucarmacion  Santiago 25 

Vencente  Sulsona 2.00 

Unknown..  2.45 


238.00  $142.80 

Rivera,  Dias :. 3.00 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  citizens  of 102.60 

San  Juan  Railroad  Company .  ___ 500.00 

Scott  &Bownem 250.00 

Society  Los  Amigos  del  Bien  Publico . .. . .  .  15. 00 

Taylor  &  Williams,  Louisville,  Ky 20.00 

Unknown  sources 55.00 

Van  Rensselaer,  Rev.  M ...  .  5.00 

Wiltwyck  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  (Phoebe  E. 

Roosa,  treasurer) 187. 35 

Young,  L.  E , 2.00 


CONCLUSIONS. 

RELIEF  WORK. 

The  experience  of  the  year  of  free  food  distribution  in  Porto  Rico 
confirms  the  views  advanced  in  the  very  beginning  of  the  work,  that 
such  a  form-  of  relief  is  but  the  least  of  two  evils  and  demoralizing,  even 
though  surrounded  by  every  possible  safeguard.  As  stated  in  the  open- 
ing chapter  of  this  report,  we  had  a  condition  to  meet — the  people  were 
starving.  There  was  no  money  and  noway  to  get  any;  only  food, 
and  how  much  of  that  even  we  did  not  know.  So  we  were  forced  to 
employ  the  sole  means  at  hand  to  keep  these  people  from  starving  to 
death. 

I  believe  it  is  necessary  to  reiterate  this  fact  that  all  may  under- 
stand the  exact  position  of  this  board. 

With  this  means  only  at  command,  what  has  been  accomplished? 

The  board  has  received  and  distributed  over  32,000,000  pounds  of 
food  and  thousands  of  articles  of  clothing.  It  has  furnished  medi- 
cines and  sick  comforts  to  every  municipality.  In  a  word,  it  has  kept 
a  hundred  thousand  people  here  alive  who  otherwise  would  have 
been  dead. 

This  is  the  absolute  measure  of  its  accomplishment. 

With  this  food  the  board  has  cleared  and  cultivated  over  one-fourth 
of  all  the  coffee  plantations  in  Porto  Rico;  it  has  built  or  repaired 


296   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

numerous  trails  leading  in  every  direction  through  the  mountainous 
regions  of  the  island ;  it  has  cleaned  up  the  towns,  rebuilt  hundreds 
of  houses,  and  it  might  have  done  even  more  but  for  the  lack  of  the 
mere  implements  to  put  into  the  hands  of  the  tens  of  thousands  of 
laborers  who  were  forced  to  work  for  their  lives. 

Such  catastrophes  as  that  of  August  8,  1899,  have  not  been  uncom- 
mon in  Porto  Rico.  The  official  records  covering  less  than  four  hun- 
dred years  give  accounts  of  more  than  thirty  hurricanes  which  have 
devastated  the  island,  an  average  of  one  every  twelve  years. 

This  being  the  case,  it  seems  right  that  I  should  succinctly  state  our 
conclusions  as  to  the  best  method  of  relief  under  like  conditions. 

The  work  that  had  to  be  done  after  the  last  hurricane,  named  in 
the  order  of  importance,  was : 

First.  To  reopen  the  roads  and  trails  to  render  intercommunication 
possible. 

Second.  To  rebuild  the  houses,  by  which,  to  the  largest  extent,  is 
meant  the  simple  bark  shacks  of  the  peons. 

Third.  To  clean  up  and  cultivate  the  farms. 

Fourth.  To  reconstruct  and  build  new  public  highways  and  build- 
ings. 

Immediately  following  such  a  catastrophe  it  may  be  assumed  that 
for  a  short  time,  until  matters  readjust  themselves,  the  distribution 
of  some  food  will  be  absolutely  necessary.  The  machinery  devised 
by  us  for  this  work  seemed  entirely  adequate,  and  no  better  was  sug- 
gested. This  consisted  of  the  division  of  the  island  into  a  certain 
convenient  number  of  so-called  "  relief  divisions,"  which  were  in  turn 
subdivided  into  districts  corresponding  to  the  municipalities,  the  size 
of  the  division  being  determined  by  convenience  in  transportation. 
A  general  supply  depot  was  established  at  San  Juan,  a  depot  in  each 
relief  division,  a  subdepot  in  each  municipality,  and  in  certain  cases 
even  in  barrios. 

With  us  the  military  posts  became  the  depots,  but  that  is  a  mere 
question  of  convenience.  Under  a  civil  government  the  depot  town 
would  be  designated,  as  would  also  the  relief  divisions,  and  the 
boundaries  of  the  latter  would  be  determined  by  accessibility  to  the 
depot. 

Under  the  present  law  a  board  of  charities  is  a  part  of  the  govern- 
ment of  each  municipality,  and  it  has  well-defined  functions.  These 
boards  now  know  what  is  expected  of  them,  and  they  should  be  made 
wholly  responsible  for  the  care  of  the  chronic  poor,  sick,  infirm,  and, 
for  the  first  moment,  the  "  acute  "  indigent.  They  should  receive  the 
food  from  the  depot  and  issue  it. 

These  boards  should  be  assisted  by  barrio  committees  of  sufficient 
size  so  that  each  member  would  not  be  required  to  know  the  condition 
of  more  than  twenty  families. 

A  census  of  the  needy  should  be  taken  at  the  earliest  practicable 
moment,  one  copy  of  which  should  be  sent  to  the  board  of  charities  of 
Porto  Rico,  which  board  would  have  general  supervision  of  the  whole 
work  of  relief,  and  the  other  copy  would  be  retained  by  the  local 
board  and  should  be  constantly  revised. 

A  careful  record  of  all  receipts  and  issues  should  be  kept,  a  strict 
accountability  for  the  relief  supplies  demanded,  and  reports  should 
be  made  weekly  to  the  central  board. 

The  details  of  the  procurement  and  transportation  of  the  supplies 
would  ordinarily  be  merely  those  of  a  like  commercial  proposition  (of 
the  utmost  importance  indeed),  to  be  met  by  the  means  at  command 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF,  PORTO    RICO.        297 

of  all  business  communities,  and  which  would  usually  be  adequate: 
Food  from  New  York,  through  some  produce  exchange  firm.  Steam- 
ship to  Porto  Rico;  any  of  several  lines.  Distribution  in  the  island, 
steamboat  and  sailing  vessels  along  the  coast,  and  ox  carts  to  the 
interior,  beyond  which  the  municipality  would  have  to  meet  the  ques- 
tion of  transportation. 

In  the  meantime,  possibly  years  in  advance,  plans  and  specifications 
for  the  repair  of  every  road  and  the  construction  of  new  roads  should 
be  prepared,  and  bids  for  the  work  then  at  once  invited.  Plans  for 
the  repair  or  reconstruction  of  public  buildings  should  also  be  pre- 
pared and  contracts  let. 

Pari  passu  with  these,  the  railroads  and  other  undertakings  of  a 
semipublic  character  would  be  getting  ready  to  employ  labor.  Mer- 
chants, farmers,  and  other  private  employers  would  be  laying  their 
plans  for  further  employment  of  labor.  Everywhere  labor  would  be 
in  demand,  and  where  labor  is  all  occupied  there  dwells  prosperity. 

But  all  this  presupposes  one  thing — capital.  There  must  be  money 
to  pay  labor  or  the  old  story  of  "  beans,  rice,  and  codfish  "  will  be  told 
again. 

Porto  Rico  is  intrinsically  valuable  enough  to  discount  the  future. 
She  could  borrow  with  reasonable  freedom  and  repay  with  scarcely  an 
effort. 

The  money — but  "that's  another  story." 

Under  the  suggested  plan  four  months  would  be  the  limit  of  public 
food  distribution,  even  to  the  so-called  poorhouse  population;  for 
these  kindly  people  are  very  generous  and  freely  share  with  their 
poorer  neighbors  even  their  last  crust. 

The  relief  work  under  the  military  authority  in  Porto  Rico  ceased 
July  15,  1900,  in  accordance  with  an  order  from  the  Secretary  of  War 
dated  June  22.  Its  record  is  made,  whether  for  good  or  for  evil,  but 
whatever  ma3T  be  the  verdict  of  posterity,  certain  it  is  that  those  whose 
duty  it  was  made  to  execute  this  unfamiliar  and  distasteful  task  have, 
from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  devoted  their  every  effort  to  its  successful 
accomplishment.  There  is  scarcely  an  officer  or  enlisted  soldier  in  this 
entire  command  but  who  has  given  something  of  himself  to  this  work, 
and  all  are  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  the  authorities  as  well  as  the  grate- 
ful appreciation  of  the  people  of  Porto  Rico  whom  they  have  served 
and  saved. 

I  desire  especially  to  express  my  acknowledgment  of  the  admirable 
work  done  by  the  following  named,  to  whom  in  more  than  a  propor- 
tionate measure  is  due  the  success  that  has  attended  the  work  of 
famine  relief  in  Porto  Rico : 

Col.  William  A.  Rafferty,  Fifth  Cavalry. 

Lieut.  Col.  C.  C.  C.  Carr,  Fifth  Cavalry  (now  colonel  Fourth  Cavalry), 
both  of  whom  were,  in  turn,  division  inspectors  of  relief,  Mayaguez, 
and  both  were  untiring  in  the  work. 

Maj.  Thomas  Cruse,  Quartermaster's  Department,  who  was  in  charge 
of  the  general  relief  supply  depot,  San  Juan,  and  the  distribution  of  sup- 
plies to  the  divisional  depots.  His  work  was  untiring  and  invaluable. 

Maj.  P.  R.  Egan,  Medical  Department,  United  States  Army,  dis- 
bursing officer  of  relief,  who  purchased  a  large  proportion  of  the  nearly 
$25,000  worth  of  medicine  used  and  repacked  and  distributed  it  all. 

Maj.  Eben  Swift,  Porto  Rican  Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry,  some- 
time inspector  of  the  division  of  Humacoa,  Cayey,  and  Arroyo. 

Capt.  H.  S.  Bishop,  Fifth  Cavalry,  inspector  of  relief  at  Manati,  in 
whose  division  the  largest  amount  of  food  was  distributed,  an  impor- 


298       REPORT    OF   THE    BOARD    OF   CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

tant  result  of  which  was  that  thousands  of  people  were  kept  at  or  near 
their  homes  who  otherwise  would  have  flocked  into  the  coast  towns. 

Capt.  H.  W.  Wheeler,  Fifth  Cavalry,  inspector  at  Aibonito,  whose 
interest  in  the  poor  people  of  his  division  inspired  their  confidence  and 
affection  to  an  unusual  degree. 

Capt.  H.  R.  Lee,  Eleventh  Infantry,  inspector  of  Lares  and  after- 
wards of  Aguadilla,  whose  intelligent  handling  of  the  situation  in  his 
jurisdiction  was  remarked  by  all  who  observed  it. 

First  Lieut.  J.  L.  Haines,  Fifth  Cavalry,  who  succeeded  Captain 
Bishop  as  inspector,  Manati,  and  who  successfully  closed  up  the  work 
in  that  important  division. 

Dr.  H.  W.  Cowper,  acting  assistant  surgeon,  the  first  secretary  and 
disbursing  officer  of  the  board  of  charities,  Porto  Rico,  who  devoted 
himself  to  organizing  the  administration  of  the  work  of  relief  during 
its  earliest  and  most  trying  period. 

Sergt.  Gotlieb  Williams,  Troop  F,  Fifth  Cavalry,  noncommissioned 
officer  in  charge  of  the  division  of  Bayamon,  where  his  work  was  most 
important  and  intelligent. 

Corpl.  Daniel  G.  Brose,  Company  I,  Eleventh  Infantry,  who  estab- 
lished the  first  subdepot — that  at  Hato  Grande — and  whose  work  and 
reports  were  of  the  highest  order. 

Mr.  William  Reeves,  chief  clerk  of  the  chief  surgeon's  office,  who 
took  charge  of  and  managed  with  great  skill  the  enormous  amount  of 
office  work  connected  with  the  department  of  planters'  relief. 

Messrs.  J.  W.  Van  Leenhoff,  Angel  Mattel,  Carlos  Batlle,  and  Felix 
Seijo,  Porto  Rico  coffee  planters,  who  were  appointed  honorary  inspect- 
ors of  relief  in  the  most  distressed  districts  and  whose  services  were  of 
great  value. 

And,  finally,  the  work  is  especially  indebted  to  the  Woman's  Aid 
Society  of  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R.,  whose  assistance  in  the  making 
and  distribution  of  thousands  of  articles  of  clothing  for  the  naked  all 
over  the  island  and  in  a  hundred  other  ways,  was  invaluable ;  and  to 
the  Porto  Rican  Central  Relief  Committee,  and  particularly  its  able 
and  untiring  secretary,  William  R.  Corwine,  Esq. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major,  Surgeon  United  States  Army, 
Chief  Surgeon  Department  of  Porto  Rico, 

In  Charge  of  Porto  Rico  Relief. 


APPENDIX  A. 

PRELIMINARY  REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF 

PORTO  RICO. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 
OFFICE  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. ,  September  25,  1899. 
The  MILITARY  GOVERNOR  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

GENERAL:  In  compliance  with  verbal  instructions  from  you,  I  have 
the  honor  to  submit  the  following  preliminary  report  of  the  relief 
work  in  Porto  Rico  intrusted  to  this  board : 

Cash  received  to  date §13, 650. 10 

Expended 907.29 


Balance  on  hand 12,742.81 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        299 

SUPPLIES. 


Received. 

Issuer1. 

Remaining. 

Provisions 

tons 

5,041 

3  061 

1,980 

Lumber                                    

pieces  . 

2,566 

2,566 

Nails 

kegs 

301 

219 

82 

Iron  roofing    ..  

rolls.. 

400 

341 

59 

Indigent  at  date  of  last  report,  252,750. 

At  12  m.  on  August  7,  1899,  the  following  message  was  received  at 
the  adjutant-general's  office:  " Hurricane  signals  11  a.  m.,  center 
east  of  Dominica."  By  that  hour  on  the  following  day  the  island  had 
been  devastated  by  the  tempest  and  flood,  hundreds  of  lives  had  been 
annihilated,  thousands  of  people  rendered  homeless,  millions  of  prop- 
erty lost,  and,  most  of  all,  the  fruit  and  food  crop  destroyed. 

The  most  important  problem  that  thrust  itself  upon  you  on  the  8th 
day  of  August  was  not  economic,  but  humanitarian.  It  was  a  question 
of  saving  human  lives,  not  for  a  day  or  a  week,  but  for  many  weeks. 

ORGANIZATION   OF  THE   BOARD    OF   CHARITIES   OF   PORTO   RICO. 

To  meet  this  an  instrument  and  immediate  organization  was  neces- 
sary. The  instrument  which  you  created  for  the  purpose  was  this 
board,  over  which  I  have  the  honor  to  preside  and  which  was  organ- 
ized in  compliance  with  the  following  order  (received  by  this  board 
on  August  9,  1899,  and  promulgated  in  paragraph  9,  General  Orders, 
No.  116,  from  these  headquarters) : 

IX.  All  matters  respecting  charitable  institutions,  including  homes  and  asylums 
for  succor  of  the  poor,  sick,  or  incurables  who  are  supported  by  insular  expendi- 
tures, together  with  matters  relating  to  assistance  for  the  sufferers  by  the  recent 
hurricane,  are  committed  to  a  board  of  charities. 

DETAIL   FOR  THE   BOARD. 

Maj.  John  Van  R.  Hoff,  chief  surgeon,  president. 

Surg.  F.  W.  F.  Wieber,  United  States  Navy. 

Dr.  Francisco  del  Valle  Atiles. 

Capt.  G.  M.  Wells,  assistant  surgeon,  United  States  Army. 

Capt.  F.  P.  Reynolds,  assistant  surgeon,  United  States  Army. 

Rev.  J.  De  J.  Nin,  Catholic  priest. 

Rev.  Henry  A.  Brown,  chaplain.  United  States  Army. 

Harold  W.  Cowper,  acting  assistant  surgeon,  United  States  Army,  secretary 
and  disbursing  officer. 

To  this  board  will  be  transferred  the  executive  and  administrative  control  of 
the  insane  asylum,  the  orphan  asylum,  and  the  leper  colony.  The  board  will 
report  direct  to  the  military  governor.  The  funds  available  for  expenditure  for 
the  branches  of  the  public  service  above  indicated  are  those  carried  by  the  budget 
for  the  current  year,  and  will  be  disbursed  and  accounted  for  by  the  disbursing 
officer  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  charities. 


LOCAL   BOARDS. 

On  the  same  day  the  following  letter  was  addressed  to  each  alcalde : 


SR.  ALCALDE  MUNICIPAL  DE 


JUNTA  DE  CARIDAD  DE  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  Agosto  9  de  1899. 


SENOR:  El  Gobernador-G-eneral  ordena  que  por  esa  Alcaldia  se  remitan  a  esta 
Junta  los  nombres  de  tres  caballeros,  caritativos,  de  esa  municipalidad,  con  los 
cuales  se  constituira  una  Junta  Local  de  Caridad  para  entender  en  todos  aquellos 


300       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 


casos  de  necesidad  6  miseria  de  mayor  importancia  qne  ocurrieren  en  su  jurisdic- 
cion  dando  a  esta  Junta  el  in  forme  correspondiente. 

Se  les  encargara  asi  mismo,  en  caso  de  necesidad,  de  la  distribucion  del  material 
que  fuere  necesario  para  aliviar  la  miseria. 

Se  entiende,  desde  luego,  que  solamente  aquellos  casos  de  desastres  de  considera- 
cion  que  las  autoridades  locales  no  pudieran  remediar,  se  pondran  bajo  la  accion 
del  a  Junta  Insular  pero  cualquier  informacion  que  sobre  asuntos  de  su  competencia 
se  le  faciliten  seran  recibidos  con  gusto. 

Convendria  asi  mismo,  la  organizacion  de  comisiones  locales,  compuestas  de 
senoras,  para  prestar  su  auxilio  a  los  enfermos  de  sn  inmediata  comunidad. 

Las  personas  a  quienes  se  ha  de  confiar  esta  humanitaria  labor,  seran  elegidas 
cuidadosamente  pues  su  unica  recompensa  sera  el  convencimiento  de  haber  ayudado 
a  nuestros  projimos. 

JOHN  VAN  E.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  United  States  Army,  Chief  Surgeon, 

Presidente  de  la  Junta  de  Caridad. 

August  11,  1899,  the  following  order  was  promulgated: 


GENERAL  ORDERS, 
No.  115. 


HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  August  11,  1899. 
For  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  exact  conditions  resulting  from  the  recent 
hurricane  obtaining  in  the  various  municipal  districts,  the  island  is  divided  into 
twelve  inspection  divisions,  corresponding  to  the  twelve  military  posts,  each 
embracing  the  following-named  municipalities: 


I.  SAN  JUAN. 


1.  Bayamon. 

2.  Trujillo  Alto. 

3.  Loiza. 


1.  Patillas. 

2.  Naguabo. 

3.  Juncos. 


1.  Salinas. 

2.  San  Lorenzo. 


1.  Sabana  del  Palmar. 


1.  JuanaDiaz. 

2.  Coamo. 


1.  CaboEojo. 


1.  Maricao. 

2.  Hormigueros. 


1.  Isabela. 

2.  Moca. 


1.  Hatillo. 

2.  Quebradillas. 


4.  Luquillo. 

5.  Eio  Piedras. 

6.  Carolina. 


UMACAO. 


4.  Maunabo. 

5.  Ceiba. 

6.  Piedras. 

III.  CAYEY. 

3.  Caguas. 

4.  Guayama. 

IV.   AlBONITO. 

2.  Aguas  Buenas. 

V.  PONCE. 

3.  Barros. 

4.  Barranquitas. 

VI.  SAN  GERMAN. 

2.  Sabana  Grande. 

VII.  MAYAGUEZ. 

3.  Anasco. 

VIII.  AGUADILLA. 

3.  Eincon. 

4.  San  Sebastian. 

IX.  ARECIBO. 
3.  Camuy. 


7.  Eio  Grande. 

8.  Fajardo. 


7.  Yabucoa. 

8.  Arroyo. 


5.  Gurabo. 


3.  Cidra. 


5.  Santa  Isabel. 


3.  Lajas. 


4.  Las  Marias. 


5.  Aguada. 


4.  Barceloneta. 


KEPOET  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  EICO.   301 

X.  MAN  ATI. 

1.  Vega  Baja.  4.  Cprozal.  7.  Toa  Alta. 

2.  Toa  Baja.  5.  Ciales.  8.  Naranjito. 

3.  Dorado.  6.  Vega  Alta.  9.  Morovis. 

XL  LARES. 
1.  Utuado. 
XII.  ADJUNTAS. 
1.  Yauco.  2.  Penuelas.  3.  Guayanilla. 

Post  commanders  are  appointed  inspectors  of  the  respective  divisions,  and  will 
at  once  send  out  an  officer,  noncommissioned  officer,  or  intelligent  private  into 
each  municipality  to  ascertain  the  extent  of  damage  to  houses  and  crops;  the 
number  of  injured  and  sick  and  the  number  of  destitute;  the  probable  amount  of 
food  in  the  district,  and  the  points  which  demand  immediate  attention.  These 
reports  will  be  sent  to  these  headquarters  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment.  It 
will  also  be  the  duty  of  the  inspectors  to  supervise  the  distribution  of  such  funds 
and  material  as  may  be  sent  for  distribution  to  the  poor  by  the  board  of  charities, 
or  other  sources. 

By  command  of  Brigadier- General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General. 

A  thousand  dollars  was  sent  to  each  post  commander  to  meet  the 
immediate  demands,  and  food  was  directed  to  be  issued  from  the 
public  .stores. 

August  12,  1899,  the  following  estimate  was  submitted: 

Estimate. 

Population.. 1,000,000 

Indigent. 250,000 

Districts  -. 70 

Each  ration  for  one  week  will  consist  of  3  pounds  of  rice,  3  pounds 
of  beans,  1  pound  of  codfish  or  bacon,  which  will  require  for  250,000  for 
one  week;  750,000  pounds  of  rice,  750,000  pounds  of  beans,  and  250,000 
pounds  of  codfish;  total,  1,750,000  pounds.  This  is  an  average  of  12-J- 
tons  per  week  for  each  district,  to  transport  which  to  each  will  require 
10  carts,  20  men,  and  40  oxen,  or  a  total  of  70  districts,  700  carts,  1,400 
men,  and  2,800  oxen. 

COST. 

The  estimated  cost  for  seventeen  weeks,  with  an  average  weekly  dis- 
tribution as  above,  is — 

12,750,000  pounds  of  rice,  at  5  cents  per  pound $637,500 

12,750,000  pounds  of  beans,  at  3  cents  per  pound 382, 500 

4,250,000  pounds  of  codfish,  at  8  cents  per  pound 340, 000 

Transportation,  700  carts,  17  weeks,  at  $10  per  cart  per  week 1 19, 000 

Sundries.. 10,000 


Total... 1,489,000 

August  13,  1899,  you  sent  the  following  cablegram: 
SECRETARY  OF  WAR,  Washington  D.  C.   . 

Further,  but  incomplete,  returns  confirm  previous  cable  reports  as  conservative. 
Suggest  appointment  officer  in  New  York  to  receive  relief  funds  and  supplies,  cabling 
kinds  and  quantities  shipped  each  week.  Colonel  Hoff,  Medical  Department,  in 
charge  relief  work  here,  should  be  shipped  this  week  not  less  than  2,500  tons  of 
food.  Best  to  be  sent,  beans,  rice,  and  cheap  grade  codfish.  Cotton  clothing  and 
coarse  cotton  goods  in  piece,  needles,  thread,  also  needed.  Money  will  be  applied 


302       EEPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

in  assisting  rebuild  houses  and  huts  and  hire  of  help.  I  recommend  goods 
described  in  articles  134  A,  138,  139,  191,  192,  193,  be  placed  on  free  list.  I  have 
authorized  employment  labor  rebuilding  barracks  at  Cayey  and  Aibonito,  wholly 
destroyed. 

DAVIS. 

On  the  same  date  the  following  instructions  were  issued  to  post 
commanders : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  August  13,  1899. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER, 

SIR:  The  department  commander  directs  that  you  at  once  organize  a  depot  at 
your  post  for  the  receipt  and  distribution  of  supplies  intended  for  the  sufferers 
from  the  recent  hurricane.  This  depot  should  be  under  your  personal  charge. 

You  will  also  organize  at  the  chief  city  in  each  of  the  municipalities  in  your 
division  a  subdepot,  which  will  be  under  the  command  of  a  reliable  noncommis- 
sioned officer,  with  one  or  more  privates  to  assist  in  the  distribution  of  food  and 
other  material.  Strict  account  will  be  kept  of  receipts  and  issue,  and  the  latter 
will  be  made  in  accordance  with  regulations  which  will  be  published  in  orders. 

You  should  at  once  arrange  for  the  most  satisfactory  transportation  obtainable 
within  your  division  for  the  transportation  of  material  from  your  depot  to  the  subde- 
pots.  No  delay  should  be  permitted,  and  no  failure  to  get  the  material  to  the 
needy.  The  department  commander  relies  upon  your  zeal  and  intelligence  in 
carrying  this  work  through,  and  no  failure  which  human  intelligence  and  effort 
can  overcome  should  be  allowed  to  interfere  with  it.  You  are  authorized  to  use 
your  entire  personnel,  if  necessary,  in  this  work,  as  well  as  public  transportation, 
etc. ,  and  you  will  hire  such  transportation  and  labor  as  may  be  necessary,  observ- 
ing due  economy,  the  object  being  to  get  the  material  to  the  points  of  distribu- 
tion, and  for  this  you  are  wnolly  responsible. 

Issues  will  be  facilitated  by  the  use  of  measures.  The  soldier's  tin  cup  will  hold 
about  li  pounds  of  rice  or  beans. 

You  will  also  urge  the  alcaldes  of  your  division  to  submit  the  names  of  three 
reputable  and  active  citizens  in  each  district  to  act  as  local  boards  of  charities, 
and  you  will  give  them  a  provisional  appointment  until  their  nominations  can  be 
acted  upon  by  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico,  at  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

Committees  of  charitable  women  should  also  be  organized  in  the  municipal  dis- 
tricts and  every  effort  made  to  bring  speedy  relief  to  the  needy.    Organization  is 
a  military  specialty,  and  no  unusual  difficulty  should  be  experienced  in  making 
such  a  one  here  that  the  result  will  be  almost  perfect. 
Very  respectfully, 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General. 

August  14  the  distribution  of  food  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  this 
board,  in  compliance  with  the  following  order: 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  \  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  117.  \  San  Juan,  August  U,  1899. 

I.  The  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  at  San  Juan  is  charged  with  the  super- 
vision of  the  distribution  of  food  to  the  needy.     It  will  make  timely  requisition 
on  these  headquarters  for  the  necessary  material,  which  will  be  distributed  to  the 
depots  and  transported  by  the  quartermaster's  department,  and  it  will  see  that 
all  requisitions   by  the  division  inspectors   are  promptly  filled.     The  division 
inspectors  and  local  boards  of  charity  will  report  at  least  once  each  week  to  the 
board  of  charities  at  San  Juan,  the  former  giving  the  number  of  rations  issued, 
the  latter  the  number  requested  and  likely  to  be  required,  together  with  such 
other  information  as  may  be  useful  in  the  work  of  the  board. 

II.  All  military  departments  and  officers  on  duty  in  Porto  Rico  will  give  the 
board  of  charities  of  San  Juan  such  assistance  as  it  may  call  upon  them  for  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  relief  work. 

III.  The  board  of  charities  of  San  J  uan  is  required  to  make  requisition  upon 
these  headquarters  for  such  funds  as  may  be  necessary,  for  which  and  other 
material  it  will  account  as  required  by  orders  and  regulations. 

IV.  The  board  of  charities  of  San  Juan  is  authorized  to  employ  such  personnel 
and  purchase  such  material  as  may  be  necessary  in  the  carrying  out  of  its  relief 
work. 

V.  Numbered  ration  cards  will  be  issued  by  the  municipal  boards  of  charity 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES"  OF    PORTO    RICO.        303 

and  signed  by  the  chairman  to  the  needy  of  his  district,  giving  date,  name,  and 
number  of  adults  and  children  in  the  family.  On  this  card  is  a  certificate  stating 
that  the  individual  named  on  the  card  is  indigent  and  will  require  food  for  a  stated 
number  of  adults  and  children  for  a  specified  time,  which  must  be  signed  by  the 
chairman. 

The  card  is  intended  for  four  issues  covering  a  period  of  four  weeks,  after  which 
it  will  be  taken  up  at  the  subdepot,  and,  if  necessary,  a  new  card  will  be  issued  by 
the  municipal  board  of  charities. 

These  cards  will  be  furnished  by  the  board  of  charities  for  Porto  Rico  at  San 
Juan. 

VI.  Any  irregularities  or  misappropriation  of  relief  material  will  be  immediately 
reported  to  the  board  of  charities,  San  Juan,  by  anyone  cognizant  of  such. 

V7II.  A  depot  of  supplies  will  be  established  at  San  Juan  and  at  each  military 
post  and  a  subdepot  in  the  chief  town  of  each  municipal  district,  the  post  depot 
drawing  supplies  from  San  Juan  and  the  subdepot  from  the  post  in  its  inspection 
division. 

VIII.  Requisitions  will  at  once  be  forwarded  to  these  headquarters  by  the  com- 
manding officer  of  each  post  covering  the  requirements  of  his  division  for  one 
month  on  the  basis  of  0.857  ounces  of  beans.  6.875  ounces  of  rice,  and  2.285  ounces 
dried  codfish  or  bacon  for  each  daily  ration.1 

He  will  receipt  for  and  be  responsible  for  the  material  invoiced  to  him. 

IX.  Food  will  be  distributed  in  bulk  from  the  post  to  each  of  its  subdepots, 
which  subdepots  will  be  in  charge  of  a  noncommissioned  officer  with  two  or  more 
privates,  who  will  receive,  receipt,  and  be  responsible  for  and  issue  the  material 
invoiced  him  from  the  depot. 

X.  Rations  will  be  issued  to  the  bearers  of  cards  certified  to  by  the  chairman  of 
the  local  board  of  charities,  which  issues  will  be  entered  when  made  upon  the 
issue  card,  and  in  a  book  to  be  kept  at  the  subdepot,  and  no  issue  will  be  made 
except  to  the  bearer  of  an  issue  card  or  his  authenticated  representative,  whose 
name  is  written  thereon.    Accounts  of  issues  will  be  rendered  monthly  by  the 
division  inspectors. 

XI.  All  cards  should  be  taken  up  when  filled  and  filed  as  vouchers  to  the  issue 
account  of  the  subdepots. 

XII.  Commanders  of  depots  and  subdepots  will  make  timely  requisitions  for 
supplies,  and  will  be  held  responsible  that  the  food  is  brought  to  the  needy  with 
the  utmost  promptness. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General. 


GENERAL  ORDERS.  [  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  119.  ]  San  Juan,  August  16,  1899. 

I.  In  addition  to  the  military  post  upon  the  island  the  following  places  are 
designated  as  depots  of  supplies  for  the  destitute  in  their  neighborhoods:  Bayamon, 
Fajardo,  Caguas,  Arroyo,  Guanica. 

A  detachment  of  1  officer  and  25  men  will  be  sent  to  each  of  these  places  to 
receive,  care  for,  and  distribute  supplies.  The  officer  in  charge  will,  if  necessary, 
rent  suitable  buildings  for  the  proper  transaction  of  his  duties  and  will  forward 
to  these  headquarters  requisitions  as  indicated  by  paragraph  8,  General  Orders, 
No.  117,  current  series,  these  headquarters,  and  will  be  governed  by  this  order  and 
such  other  instructions  as  may  be  given. 

II.  The  commanding  officers  of  San  Juan  and  Ponce  will  supply  from  their  posts 
the  officers  and  detachments  for  these  points  as  follows:  From  San  Juan — Baya- 
mon, Caguas,  Fajardo;  from  Ponce— Arroyo,  Guanica. 

III.  The  destitute  in  the  various  municipalities  will  be  supplied  from  the  depots 
and  subdepots  as  follows: 

San  Juan:  Rio  Piedras,  Carolina,  Loiza,  Trujillo,  Alto. 

Bayamon:  Toa  Baja.  Toa  Alta,  Naranjito,  Dorado,  Corozal. 

San  German:  Sabana  Grande,  Lajas. 

Fajardo:  Rio  Grande,  Luquillo,  Ceiba. 

Mayaguez:  Cabo  Rojo,  Hormigueros,  Las  Marias,  Maricao,  Anasco. 

Caguas:  Gurabo,  San  Lorenzo,  Aguas  Buenas,  Juncos. 

Ad  juntas. 

Arroyo:  Guayama,  Salinas,  Patillas. 

1  The  ration  for  one  person  for  one  week  is  3  pounds  each  of  rice  and  beans  and 
1  pound  of  dried  codfish  or  bacon. 


304   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

Lares. 

Guanica:  Yauco,  Guayanilla. 

Manati:  Morovis,  dales,  Vega  Baja,  Vega  Alta. 

Arecibo:  Utuado,  Hatillo,  Camuy,  Quebradillas,  Barceloneta. 

Ponce:  Juana  Diaz.  Santa  Isabel,  Penuelas,  Coamo. 

Humacao:  Yabucoa,  Naguabo,  Piedras,  Maunabo. 

Aibonito:  Barros,  Barranquitas. 

Cayey:  Sabana  del  Palmar,  Cidra. 

Aguadilla:  Moca,  Aguada,  Rincon,  Isabela,  San  Sebastian. 

IV.  While  this  plan  of  distribution  will  be  followed  as  near  as  practicable,  it 
may  be  found  necessary,  on  account  of"  difficulties  in  certain  lines  of  travel,  to  make 
slight  changes  in  the  depots  or  subdepots  from  which  parts  of  municipalities  will 
draw  their  supplies.    Officers  in  charge  of  depots  are  authorized  to  make  these 
changes  when  necessary. 

V.  The  quartermaster's  department  will  supply  such  transportation  and  riding 
animals  as  may  be  required  at  Bayamon,  Fa  jar  do,  Caguas,  Arroyo,  and  Guanica. 

By  command  of  Brigadier-General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant- General 


The  following  ration  request  was  devised: 


Num.  — 
Nombre- 


Adultos- 


Resid8 
Ninos- 


-,  1899. 


Numero  de  familia 

CERTIFICO:  Que  los  arriba  nombradps  son  indigentes  y  necesi- 
taran  comida  para adultos, ninos,  por semanas. 


Presidente  de  la  Junta  de  Caridad. 
El  peso  de  una  racion  semanal  es  de  7  libras. 


Fecha. 

Hab. 

kilos. 

Arroz 
kilos. 

Kilos. 

Expedic 

2a 

3a        'l 

4a        " 

Esta  tarjeta  es  intrasmisible  y  solo  sirve  en  esta  distrito.  Debe 
presentarse  antes  de  ser  despachada  y  constara  en  la  ultima 
emision.  Si  fuere  necesario  se  expedira  una  nueva  tarjeta  por  el 
presidente  de  la  junta  de  caridad.  Cada  emision  debe  anotarse 
en  un  libro. 


Identiflcacion 
del  pulgar. 


August  16  the  following  order  was  issued: 


GENERAL  ORDERS, 
No.  120. 


HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  August  16,  1899* 

For  the  purpose  of  effecting  the  relief  of  suffering  from  lack  of  food,  clothing, 
and  medicines,  the  president  of  the  board  of  charities  is  authorized  to  correspond 
directly  with  the  commanding  officers  of  posts,  inspection  divisions,  and  those  in 
charge  of  supply  depots,  and  his  requests  upon  such  parties  will  be  observed 
wherever  practicable,  and  for  this  purpose  he  is  authorized  to  give  orders  directly 
to  such  officers. 

Maj.  Thomas  Cruse,  quartermaster,  United  States  Volunteers,  is  placed  in 
charge  of  the  depot  of  reiief  supplies  at  San  Juan,  P.  R.,  and  will  act  in  accord- 
ance with  the  instructions  of  the  president  of  the  board  of  charities. 


KEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIE^"  OF    POETO    BICO.        305 

The  chief  quartermaster  of  the  department  will  furnish  such  transportation  by 
wagon  and  pack  animals  as  may  be  available  for  immediate  use. 
By  command  of  Brigadier- General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  observed  that  hardly  an  hour's  delay 
was  permitted  in  meeting  an  emergency  which  at  noon  on  August  7 
was  totally  unexpected,  and  which  involved  the  feeding  of  an  army  of 
a  quarter  of  a  million  of  indigents,  with  a  base  1,500  miles  over  the  sea. 

The  scheme  of  organization  is  simple  enough.  A  central  depot  at  San 
Juan  under  the  immediate  charge  of  this  board,  17  depots  at  conveni- 
ent points,  each  under  charge  of  an  officer,  and  58  subdepots,  located 
in  each  municipal  city,  under  charge  of  a  noncommissioned  officer;  at 
each  of  these  depots  two  or  more  private  soldiers  are  stationed. 

Food  from  home  is  landed  from  the  transports  into  the  central  depot 
here  and  distributed  by  wagon  or  boat  to  the  17  depots,  from  which  it 
is  carried  by  the  municipal  authorities  to  their  districts  and  distrib- 
uted to  the  people. 

The  responsibility  of  determining  who  is  indigent  is  placed  upon  the 
local  boards  of  charities  organized  in  accordance  with  the  letter  of 
August  9.,  above  quoted. 

Herein  lies  the  weak  point  of  the  organization,  and  an  explanation 
of  its  cause  would  involve  a  discussion  of  the  sociological  conditions 
obtaining  here,  which  are  not  pertinent  to  this  report.  Suffice  it  to 
say  that  these  people  are  not  accustomed  to  organize  for  any  purpose, 
particularly  charity;  that  a  gift  from  the  charitable  people  of  our 
country  to  preserve  the  natives  here  from  starvation  is  not  regarded 
as  a  sacred  charge  to  be  honestly  administered,  but  as  a  public  con- 
tribution in  which  all  are  entitled  to  share,  and,  finally,  a  large  pro- 
portion of  the  people  are  chronically  indigent  and  always  on  the  verge 
of  starvation,  so  that  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  discriminate  between 
degrees  of  indigency. 

August  19  the  following  circular  was  issued  to  the  local  boards  of 
charities,  which  indicated  the  lines  upon  which  this  board  expected 
them  to  work.  It  was  not  deemed  wise  to  lay  down  a  too  detailed 
scheme  of  organization.  All  the  division  inspectors  (commanding  offi- 
cers) were  experienced  soldiers,  and  it  was  believed  that  it  would  be 
better  to  let  them  work  out  their  interior  organization  within  certain 
general  lines  laid  down  by  this  board.  We  recognized  the  great  danger 
of  pauperizing  a  people  whose  every  tendency  is  in  the  direction  of 
indolence,  and  the  motto  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  has 
been  from  the  beginning :  ' '  No  one  shall  die  of  starvation  and  no  able- 
bodied  man  shall  eat  the  bread  of  idleness;"  but  it  is  much  easier  to 
suggest  rules  than  it  is  to  accomplish  results.  After  several  weeks' 
trial  the  board  promulgated  the  following  plan,  which  is  now  in 
operation : 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  September  2, 1899. 
To  military  commanders,  alcaldes,  boards  of  charities,  and  all  interested  in  Porto 

Rico  and  its  people: 

It  has  been  found  that  a  more  extended  organization  and  closer  inspection  are 
necessary  to  prevent  distress  because  of  lack  of  food  and  at  the  same  time  to  avoid 
the  possibility  of  pauperizing  the  laboring  classes  by  feeding  those  who  are 
unworthy. 

This  board  therefore  makes  the  following  recommendations: 

(1)  That  an  investigating  committee  (partly  of  charitable  women)  be  organ- 
ized in  each  barrio,  whose  duty  it  will  be  to  investigate  all  cases  which  may 

19709—01 20 


306   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


require  assistance.  This  committee  will  report  to  the  local  board  of  charities  and 
will  furnish  each  worthy  indigent  family,  or  individual  if  there  be  no  family, 
with  an  inspection  card  (A),  giving  the  date,  name,  residence,  number  in  family, 
and  especially  the  number  of  able-bodied  adult  males. 

This  inspection  card  (A)  will  be  taken  to  the  board  of  charities  by  the  benefici- 
ary and  exchanged  for  a  ration  request  (B)  and  as  many  work  tickets  (C)  as  there 
are  able-bodied  adult  males  in  the  family.  The  ration  request  will  be  taken  to 
the  depot  and  the  first  week's  rations  will  be  drawn. 

All  of  the  above-mentioned  tickets  will  have  the  same  number,  which  will  be 
put  on  them  at  the  office  of  the  board  of  charities.  Upon  receiving  his  work 
ticket  (which  he  must  always  carry  with  him)  the  able-bodied  man  will  report  as 
directed  on  the  back  of  the  ticket,  and  on  completing  his  day's  work  will  receive 
from  the  overseer  a  time  check  (D)  upon  which  is  written  the  same  number  as 
that  on  the  work  ticket  (C).  These  time  checks  (D)  are  vouchers  to  the  ration 
reuqests  (B),  and  without  them,  or  a  certificate  from  the  barrio  committee  that 
a  man  is  legitimately  absent  or  ill.  no  rations  will  be  issued  after  the  first  week. 
If,  however,  the  man  be  present  with  his  family  or  the  people  with  whom  he  lives, 
and  in  good  health,  but  refuses  to  report  and  work  as  directed,  he  will  be  arrested 
and  required  to  work  under  guard ,  and  a  certificate  that  he  has  so  worked  will  be 
a  sufficient  voucher  for  the  issue  of  food  to  his  indigent  family. 

The  board  realizes  that  no  plan  of  relief  that  human  ingenuity  can  devise  will 
be  perfect,  but  it  believes  that  with  the  assistance  of  the  people  who  have  the  best 
interest  of  the  country  at  heart  the  plan  here  outlined  will  feed  the  worthy  hungry 
and  make  the  lazy  indigent  man  work  for  his  food. 

Trusting  that  such  assistance  will  be  freely  given,  and  realizing  that  much  of 
whatever  success  we  may  have  depends  upon  the  good  women  of  the  island,  I 
remain. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. ,  President  of  the  Board. 


Num. 


Distrito  de 


A. 


TARJETA  DE  INVESTIGACION. 
-.    Barrio  de . 


A  LA  JUNTA   DE   CARIDAD. 


Senores: 

adultos,  y  - 

habiles  para  el  trabajo,  segun  investigacion  hecha,  resultando  ser 

indigentes  y  que  necesitan  provisiones  para semanas. 


de  este  barrio  y  cuya  farnilia  consiste  de 

ninos,  de  los  cuales  hay varones  adultos, 


For  el  Comite  del  Barrio. 


B. 

[Llevese  esta  solicitud  con  la  boleta  de  jornal  al  de  deposito  provisiones.] 

Num. .  ,1898. 

Nombre .  Resid a .  Num.  de  familia  —  — .  Adultos 

.  Ninos de  los  cuales.  —  son  hombres  habiles. 

CERTIFICO:  que  los  arriba  nombrados  son  indigentes  y  necesitan 

provisiones  para .  Adultos Ninos,  por  -  -  semana.  Las 

provisiones  se  despacharan  semanalmente  y  por  medio  de  esta  orden. 

Presidente  de  la  Junta  de  Caridad. 

Despues  de  la  primera  racion,  esta  solicitud  debera  ir  acompaiiada  por  el  corre- 
spondiente  numero  de  boletasde  jornal,  una  por  cada  di'a  para  cada  hoinbre  habil. 

El  peso  de  una  racion  semanal  es  de  7  libras. 


Fecha. 

Hab. 
libras. 

Arroz 
libras. 

Libras. 

Expedido,  la  semana  

»         3a 

REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        307 

Esta  tarjeta  es  intrasmisible  y  solo  sirve  en  este  distrito.  Debe  presentarse 
en  el  deposito  de  provisiones  con  el  correspondiente  numero  de  boletas  de  jornal, 
antes  de  ser  despatchada  y  constara  en  la  ultima  emision.  Si  fuere  necessario  se 
expedira  una  nueva  tarjeta  por  el  presidente  de  la  junta.  Cada  emision  se  ano- 
tara  en  un  libro. 


IdentifLcacion 
del  pulgar. 


c. 


BOLETA  DE  TRABAJO. 


Fabrica  de 


Num. 


t  El  portador  de  esta  boleta  se  presentara  en  la  Alcaldia  mauana  a  las 
siete  de  la  misma  para  trabajar.    Si  esta  orden  no  se  cumple,  sera 
arrestado. 
Por  orden: 


Fecha: 


INSTRUCCIONES. 

Las  boletas  de  trabajo  se  expediran  juntas  con  las  tar  j etas  de  racion, 
para  los  varones  indigentes,  aptos  para  el  trabajo,  que  en  ellas  se 
expresan,  debiendo  corresponder  el  numero  de  una  y  otra. 

Los  hombres  se  presentaran  con  sus  boletas  (que  debera  conservar) 
segiin  instrucciones  al  respaldo.  Al  concluri  el  trabajo  del  dia  se  les 
expedira  una  boleta  de  jornal  con  su  numero  correspondiente  a  cada 
hombre.  Estas  tarjetas  de  jornal  deberan  acompanar  la  boleta  de 
racion  6  de  lo  contrario  no  se  expediran  raciones. 


D. 


Boleta  de  jornal  num. 


JUNTA  DE  CARIDAD, 
Inspector. 


INSTRUCCIONES. 


El  Inspector  hara  constar  en  esta  tarjeta  el  numero  del  jornalero, 
entregandosela  firmada  a  este  al  terminar  el  trabajo  del  dia. 

Esta  tarjeta  debe  acompanar  a  la  boleta  de  raciones,  sin  cuyo 
requisito  no  se  pueden  percibir  estas. 


BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  FOR  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  September  20,  1899. 

INSTRUCTIONS   TO  NONCOMMISSIONED    OFFICERS    IN   CHARGE  OF    SUBPOSTS   OF  THE 
BOARD   OF   CHARITIES   OF   PORTO  RICO. 


First.  Food  is  issued  to  prevent  starvation.  It  is  intended  for  the  worthy  poor, 
and  no  able-bodied  man  shall  receive  any  unless  he  gives  a  full  day's  work  in 
return. 


308       REPOKT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

Second.  A  day's  ration  consists  of  one  pound  of  food.  For  convenience,  food 
will  generally  be  issued  weekly;  3  pounds  of  rice,  3  pounds  of  beans,  and  1  pound 
of  codfish  or  bacon  constitute  the  usual  allowance  for  one  person  for  one  week. 
The  regulation  tin  cup  holds  about  1£  Ibs. 

Third.  A  receipt  and  issue  book  must  be  kept  at  each  depot,  in  which  will  be 
entered  in  detail,  all  the  material  received  and  all  the  rations  issued. 

Fourth.  The  local  board  of  charities  will  furnish  the  noncommissioned  officer 
in  charge  of  the  subdepot  with  an  alphabetical  list  of  indigents,  by  barrios;  and,  as 
a  rule,  issues  to  the  indigents  in  each  barrio  will  be  made  on  a  specific  day,  in 
the  presence  of  the  commissario  of  that  barrio. 

Fifth.  Issues  will  be  made  on  a  ration  "  request"  signed  by  the  chairman  of  the 
local  board  of  charities,  and  the  exact  amount  given  will  be  noted  on  the  "  request. " 
After  the  first  week  the  "request"  must  be  accompanied  by  six  (6)  time  checks, 
or  a  certificate  from  the  barrio  committee,  of  absence  or  sickness,  for  each  able- 
bodied  man  mentioned  on  the  "  request."  Without  these  checks  or  certificates  no 
rations  will  be  issued. 

Sixth.  No  food  will  be  issued  on  a  "  request"  if  the  noncommissioned  officer  in 
charge  has  reason  to  believe  that  the  applicant  is  unworthy,  and  the  "  request " 
will  be  taken  up. 

Seventh.  Noncommissioned  officers  on  this  duty  will  take  pains  to  inform  them- 
selves of  the  condition  of  the  poor  in  their  districts;  will  see  that  the  boards  of 
charities  and  the  barrio  committees  perform  their  duty,  and  will  at  once  report 
to  their  immediate  commanders  any  irregularities  observed. 

Eighth.  They  will  observe  the  organization  and  work  of  the  indigent  laborers 
and  refuse  food  to  those  who  fail  to  work,  reporting  such  cases  to  the  alcaldes 
and  their  immediate  commanders,  who  will  cause  the  men  to  be  arrested  and  put 
to  work  under  guard. 

Ninth.  They  will  under  General  Order  No.  124,  Headquarters  Department  of 
Porto  Rico,  dated  August  19th,  1899,  at  once  cause  the  arrest  of  anyone  who  mis- 
applies the  supplies  furnished  by  this  board  and  report  the  fact  to  higher  authority. 

Tenth.  They  will  submit  to  their  immediate  commanders  a  weekly  report  on 
blanks  furnished  by  this  board,  and  will  sign  receipts  and  account  for  all  property 
received  by  them. 

Eleventh.  Noncommissioned  officers  and  privates  on  relief  duty  are  officials  of 
this  board.  They  are  in  no  sense  under  the  control  of  the  municipal  authorities, 
and  in  the  performance  of  their  duties  will  take  no  orders  from  them.  They  will 
watch  over  the  interests  of  the  board  in  every  way  and  will  carry  out  to  the  best 
of  their  ability  its  rule  of  action,  which  is  that — 

"  No  per  son  shall  die  of  starvation,  and  no  able-bodied  man  shall  eat  the  bread  of 
idleness. " 

By  order  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Eico: 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

President  of  Board. 

The  greatest  difficulty  is  found  in  making  the  able-bodied  men  work 
for  food,  if  they  can,  as  they  usually  do,  get  it  without  work.  It 
requires  rather  too  fine  reasoning  for  these  people,  and  indeed  much 
higher  orders  of  intellect,  to  appreciate  the  fact  that  they  are  not 
working  for  food,  but  life;  that  the  food  is  given  them  to  prevent 
their  starving  to  death,  and  that  if  there  is  no  danger  of  such  a  result 
the  charity  of  our  people  is  misapplied.  Five  cents'  worth  of  food  is 
a  small  wage  for  a  day's  work,  but,  as  the  only  means  to  an  end,  the 
preserving  of  one's  life,  who  would  not  work  for  that  sum? 

The  Porto  Rican  authorities  have  no  organizing  power  to  utilize 
this  enormous  working  force,  which,  if  properly  applied,  would  rebuild 
the  towns,  remake  the  roads,  and  recultivate  the  fields,  and  our  own 
people  can  hardly  be  expected  to  do  this  in  addition  to  already  ardu- 
ous duties. 

The  result  is  that  there  is  an  immense  amount  of  idleness  among 
the  laboring  classes,  which  threatens  disaster  to  the  island. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  August  29, 1899. 

The  attention  of  the  able-bodied  is  called  to  the  fact  that  idleness  will  not  be 
tolerated  in  Porto  Rico. 


EEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    #F    PORTO    RICO.        309 

All  men  dependent  upon  the  wages  of  labor  for  a  livelihood  must  work  for  wages 
or  for  food,  and  if  any  such  man  refuses  to  labor  his  name  will  be  reported  to  the 
inspector  of  his  division,  who  will  investigate  the  case,  and  if  the  facts  are  found 
to  be  as  alleged  will  place  his  name  on  a  blacklist  and  will  thereafter  permit  no 
food  to  be  issued  to  him  or  his  family  until  he  returns  to  work. 

G-EO.  W.  DAVIS, 
Brigadier- General,  Commanding. 

The  board  is  now  considering  the  question  of  an  agreement  with 
the  planters  which  will  be  mutually  beneficial  to  all  concerned. 

The  probable  misapplication  of  relief  supplies  early  received  con- 
sideration, and  to  meet  such  cases  the  following  order  was  issued : 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  124.  j"  San  Juan,  August  19,  1899. 

I.  It  having  been  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  department  commander  that 
idle,  able-bodied  men  are  refusing  work  at  fair  wages,  it  is  hereby  ordered  that 
no  such  man  who  so  refuses  will  be  permitted  to  draw  food  for  himself  or  family. 
All  men  who  receive  food  are  required  to  do  such  work  or  service  as  their  division 
inspector  or  his  representative  may  direct. 

II.  Any  person  who  misapplies  any  material  furnished  for  the  relief  of  the  desti- 
tute by  fraudulently  obtaining  or  by  selling  or  otherwise  disposing  of  the  same 
will  be  punished  by  a  fine  not  exceeding  $500  for  each  offense  or  by  imprisonment 
for  a  period  not  exceeding  one  year. 

III.  When  food  can  not  be  obtained  from  other  sources,  a  division  inspector  is 
authorized  to  sell  directly  at  cost  price  (commissary  list)  to  the  heads  of  families 
resident  in  his  district  such  food  from  the  supplies  in  his  depot  as  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  prevent  hunger  in  said  families.    The  ainount.of  food  thus  sold  must 
not  exceed  a  week  s  supply  at  the  rate  of  one  (1)  pound  per  day  for  each  individual 
in  the  family.     The  money  thus  received  will  be  accounted  for  to  the  board  of 
charities  for  Porto  Rico,  San  Juan,  following  the  general  method  laid  down  in 
Army  Regulations. 

By  command  of  Brigadier- General  Davis: 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General. 

Several  reports  of  misapplication  have  been  received,  which  are 
being  investigated.  Many  rumors  of  the  selling  of  aid  supplies  are 
rife,  but  thus  far  no  notice  of  any  convictions  under  this  order  has 
reached  this  office. 

The  organization  of  the  administrative  work  of  this  board  involved 
no  difficulty.  It  followed  army  methods,  which  are  being  carried  out 
by  men  who  understand  them.  We  hear  much  about  "red  tape," 
contemptuous  definition  of  a  system  grown  out  of  a  thousand  years' 
experience,  but  which,  not  being  understood  by  the  tyro  in  our  trade, 
is  derided  as  cumbersome  and  useless.  Weekly  reports  are  submitted 
by  each  division  inspector,  giving  all  the  details  necessary  to  enable 
this  board  to  keep  his  division  supplied  and  to  form  some  idea  of 
future  requirements.  A  strict  accountability  for  all  property  is  de- 
manded, for  which  invoices,  receipts,  and  returns  are  made. 

The  question  of  transportation  is  of  vital  importance,  and  is  rendered 
more  difficult  by  the  destruction  of  roads  and  railways.  Upon  the 
recommendation  of  this  board  the  tug  Borenquen  was  chartered  by 
the  Quartermaster's  Department  to  work  in  connection  with  the  Slo- 
cum,  and  the  following  letter  was  sent : 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  E. ,  August  23,  1899. 
The  ADJUTANT-GENERAL, 

Department  of  Porto  Rico. 

SIR:  The  hurricane  has  so  seriously  interfered  with  communication  by  usual 
routes  of  travel  that  in  distributing  relief  material  this  board  finds  it  necessary  to 
recommend  that  additional  wheel  and  water  transportation  be  provided  for  its 
work.  There  should  be  two  wagon  trains  organized  Df  30  wagons  each  and  pack 
trains  at  Arecibo,  Manati,  Mayaguez,  and  Adjuntas,  if  such  are  not  now  there. 


310   EEPOET  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

There  should  also  be  two  schooners  chartered,  one  for  use  at  San  Juan  and  the 
other  on  the  eastern  coast.  The  former  can  presently  be  dispensed  with,  but  the 
latter  will  probably  have  to  be  continued  in  service  for  some  time.  The  board 
respectfully  recommends  that  senders  of  cablegrams  be  requested  to  specify  the 
amount  of  each  kind  of  material  sent,  so  that  orders  for  its  distribution  can  be 
made  be '  ore  the  arrival  of  the  ship  and  the  material  loaded  directly  from  her  into 
the  distributing  boats. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

The  United  States  Government  delivers  the  food  at  the  depots,  and 
within  the  divisions  the  local  authorities  are  required  to  provide  their 
own  transportation,  so  far  as  they  are  able  to  do  so,  the  distance  to  be 
covered  at  no  place  exceeding  20  miles.  Occasional  reports  reach  this 
office  of  a  disinclination  on  the  part  of  the  local  authorities  to  do  their 
work,  but  it  certainly  is  very  little  to  ask  of  them. 

The  U.  S.  S.  Panther  arrived  with  relief  supplies  from  Philadelphia 
on  the  28th  ultimo,  and  went  around  the  island  from  port  to  port  dis- 
tributing the  supplies  in  accordance  with  the  schedule  of  this  board, 
taking  receipts  for  her  issues.  By  this  plan  we  were  enabled  to  stock 
all  our  depots  with  the  least  practical  delay  and  at  the  same  time 
avoid  repeated  handling  of  cargo.  In  all  other  cases  the  distribution 
has  been  made  from  the  central  depot  of  the  board  here. 

The  board  has  asked  for  the  simplest,  most  acceptable,  and  least 
ration  with  which  to  carry  on  its  work,  viz,  beans,  rice,  and  codfish 
or  bacon,  1  pound  of  food  per  day  for  each  individual.  Generally 
this  has  been  furnished,  but,  unfortunately,  much  flour,  canned  and 
other  food,  together  with  various  things  necessary  to  our  good  people 
at  home  have  been  sent,  of  which  very  little  use  can  be  made.  When 
practicable,  arrangements  have  been  entered  into  with  local  bakers  to 
make  bread  from  the  flour,  but  the  people  themselves  can  not  do  it, 
and  I  fear  that  much  of  the  flour  sent  has  been  wasted  or  misapplied. 
I  am  endeavoring  to  exchange  that  in  stock  now  for  rice  and  beans.  - 

Besides  food,  clothing  and  medicine  came  under  the  purview  of  this 
board.  To  meet  immediate  contingencies  the  following  circular  letter 
was  sent  to  the  surgeons  of  the  various  posts : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. ,  August  28,  1899. 

The  SURGEON, . 

SIR:  Such  remedies  as  may  be  supplied  for  the  treatment  of  the  indigent  Porto 
Ricans  will  be  issued  to  you,  and  from  these  requisitions  made  by  the  inspector  of 
the  division  in  which  you  are  located  or  from  neighboring  divisions  in  which  there 
is  no  military  hospital  will  be  filled.  Until  these  supplies  arrive  you  are  author- 
ized to  furnish  such  simple  remedies  from  your  hospital  as  can  be  spared  without 
immediate  detriment  to  the  service,  resupplying  yourselves  when  necessary  by 
special  requisition,  and  ultimate  replacing  the  issue  from  the  relief  medicines  fur- 
nished you  as  above  set  forth.  You  will  keep  an  accurate  account  of  all  material 
received  and  issues  made,  giving  and  taking  receipts  for  same  in  duplicate  on  the 
regular  form,  and  rendering  a  return  to  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  upon 
the  completion  of  the  relief  work. 

Very  respectfully,  .  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  Chief  Surgeon. 

A  considerable  amount  of  quinine,  arsenic,  and  calomel  have  been 
received  in  the  aid  supplies  and  distributed,  and  these  have  been 
supplemented  from  the  military  hospitals.  A  large  requisition  for 
medicines  and  dressings  was  some  time  since  forwarded.  Two  phy- 
sicians were  supplied  by  the  board. 

A  considerable  supply  of  clothing,  new  and  old,  was  sent  from  home, 
and  the  Woman's  Aid  Society  of  San  Juan  gave  nearly  a  thousand 
dresses  every  week  to  clothe  the  indigent.  Too  much  appreciation 


REPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    ^F    POETO    EICO.       311 

can  not  be  shown  this  association  of  ladies  for  the  earnest  and  admi- 
rable work  they  are  doing  for  the  poor  everywhere  in  Porto  Rico. 

Realizing  that  the  aid  from  home  must  be  limited  to  the  shortest 
practicable  time,  this  board  has  insisted  upon  the  necessity  for  imme- 
diate planting  of  food-producing  seeds.  Your  own  order  and  the 
circular  of  this  board  are  as  follows : 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  )  HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

No.  126.  j"  San  Juan,  August  22,  1899. 

The  attention  of  alcaldes  and  others  concerned  is  called  to  the  fact  that  the  peo- 
ple in  the  country  districts  and  in  the  open  parts  of  towns  should  be  required  to 
at  once  plant  corn,  potatoes,  beans,  and  such  other  vegetables  of  rapid  growth  as 
will,  at  the  earliest  possible  moment,  resupply  the  country  with  the  requisite 
food.  No  excuse  should  be  accepted  for  failure  to  comply  with  this  order,  the 
requirements  of  which  will  receive  the  personal  attention  of  the  alcaldes,  as  well 
as  that  of  the  comisarios  de  barrios. 

By  command  of  Brigadier- General  Davis. 

W.  P.  HALL,  Adjutant-General. 


BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  August  24, 1899. 

SIR:  1  have  the  honor  to  request  that  you  will  instruct  your  subposts  command- 
ers, and  alcaldes,  and  boards  of  charities  in  your  division  to  see  that  all  vegetables 
issued  in  your  division,  which  are  suitable  for  this  purpose,  be  used  as  seed  and 
at  once  planted.  The  importance  of  this  is  emphasized  when  it  is  realized  that 
only  through  a  new  crop  can  this  people  become  self-supporting  in  the  near  future, 
and  there  can  be  no  crop  without  planting. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 


BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R.,  September  6, 1899. 
The  COMMANDING  OFFICER, 


SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  invite  especial  attention  to  the  recommendation  recently 
sent  you  in  regard  to  the  necessity  tor  immediate  replanting  for  new  crop.    Should 
you  find  any  scarcity  of  seed,  such  as  native  rice,  beans,  corn,  etc.,  in  the  hands  of 
the  people  for  this  purpose  you  are  authorized  to  purchase  them  in  small  quanti- 
ties from  the  local  dealers  for  seeding,  taking  care  that  they  are  used  for  no  other 
Eurpose.    The  beans  from  the  United  States  will  not  germinate,  and  are  useless 
Dr  seed. 

Bills  for  material  purchased  for  seeding  will  be  sent  to  this  board  in  duplicate, 
with  vouchers  receipted. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

Some  planting  is  being  done,  but  not  so  much  as  desirable,  and  it  is 
not  likely  in  any  event  that  the  issue  of  food  can  be  wholly  stopped 
before  the  end  of  this  year. 

No  one  who  has  not  had  such  work  as  has  fallen  to  us  here  to  do 
among  such  a  people  can  form  any  idea  of  its  difficulties. 

There  is  not  a  single  point  in  common  between  ourselves  and  the 
Porto  Ricans.  Language,  customs,  morals,  and  business  standards 
all  differ  so  radically  that  it  is  quite  as  impossible  for  us  to  under- 
stand them  as  they  us.  Consequently  what  we  do  for  these, people 
is  done  not  from  sympathy,  but  largely  from  a  sense  of  duty,  and  is 
received  by  them  not  as  the  outpouring  of  a  charitable  nation,  but  as 
a  right  for  which  no  equivalent  should  be  expected. 

We  have  accepted  these  people  as  our  share  of  the  burden  that  the 


312       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

strong  must  bear  for  the  weak ;  we  will  keep  them  alive ;  we  will  lead 
them  slowly,  gently  toward  the  light,  and  finally  in  half  a  hundred 
years  they  will  catch  the  first  glimmering  ray  which  will  show  them 
what  our  standards  are  and  what  we  wish  theirs  to  be. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 


APPENDIX  B. 

REPORT  OF  PROGRESS. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

BOARD  OF  CHARITIES, 
San  Juan,  November  SO,  1899. 
The  GOVERNOR-GENERAL  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

GENERAL  :  In  compliance  with  your  instructions,  I  have  the  honor 
to  submit  the  following  report  on  the  progress  of  the  relief  work  in 
Porto  Rico  since  September  25,  the  date  of  my  preliminary  report: 

Cash  received  to  date $15,224.10 

Cash  expended  to  date 7,417.59 


Balance  on  hand 7,806.51 


Food  received  to  date pounds . .  17, 162, 788 

Food  issued  to  date do....  16,548,516 


In  depot  at  San  Juan do 614,272 


Population ,  918,926 

Average  daily  indigency 221, 089 

Average  weekly  sick 17,572 

Average  weekly  deaths 632 

Making  an  annual  death  rate  of  35  per  thousand,  the  normal  rate  being  26.  The 
increased  mortality  is  confined  to  the  mountain  districts,  where  in  some  instances 
the  death  rate  has  increased  300  per  cent. 

For  many  weeks  following  the  storm  of  August  8  there  was  an 
almost  complete  paralysis  of  all  effort  on  the  part  of  this  people. 
Proprietor  and  peon  alike  were  apparently  so  overcome  with  the  shock 
of  the  disaster  that  they  believed  no  effort  of  theirs  could  save  them 
from  annihilation,  and  they  made  none  beyond  petitioning  the  central 
government  for  everything  from  a  toothpick  to  a  turnpike. 

As  time  passed  and  they  yet  lived  they  began  to  realize  that  all  was 
not  lost,  and  slowly  but  surely  lethargy  gave  place  to  activity.  Some 
houses  were  rebuilt,  some  farms  were  cleared  and  cultivated,  but  not 
many.  The  people  were  and  are  yet  without  ready  money  and  starva- 
tion ever  threatens. 

Along  the  coast  the  damage,  largely  due  to  flood,  while  very  great, 
was  offset  to  a  considerable  extent  by  the  improvement  of  the  sugar 
cane  produced  by  the  overflow.  The  sugar  planters  were,  in  conse- 
quence, enabled  to  borrow  money  and  employ  labor  in  the  cultivation 
of  their  fields  and  the  reconstruction  of  their  houses. 

The  cities  lining  the  coast,  in  their  efforts  to  repair  the  damage 
inflicted  upon  them,  created  a  considerable  demand  for  labor,  so  that 
it  may  be  said  that  after  the  first  shock  this  section  of  the  island  was 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    Ofr   PORTO    RICO.        313 

for  the  most  part  soon  able  to  provide  for  its  own  wants.  Not  gen- 
erously or  even  liberally,  but  still  enough.  Consequently,  in  the  low- 
lands, the  distribution  of  relief  supplies  has  gradually  been  suspended 
until  in  nearly  all  the  coast  municipalities  no  food  is  being  furnished 
except  in  very  limited  quantities  to  the  chronic  poor. 

In  the  uplands  a  very  different  condition  of  affairs  obtains.  Here 
are  located  the  coffee  plantations,  and  here  the  wind,  driven  with  irre- 
sistible force,  swept  everything  in  its  course,  uprooting  the  shade 
trees,  denuding  the  coffee  bushes,  overturning  the  habitations,  destroy- 
ing the  bananas,  and  leaving  little  or  nothing  for  the  thousands  of 
hungry,  homeless,  clothless  human  beings  but  their  lives  and  what  we 
could  give  to  them  to  prevent  starvation. 

This  unfortunately  was  not  a  wealthy  district.  The  planters  spent 
freely  when  they  had  and  borrowed  freely  when  they  had  not,  until 
borrowing  had  so  far  dulled  the  edge  of  husbandry  that  they  could 
borrow  no  more.  The  peons,  literally  observing  the  scriptural  teach- 
ing to  take  no  heed  of  the  morrow,  never  provide  beyond  the  require- 
ments of  a  day. 

Thus  it  was  that  an  unusual  disturbance  of  the  elements  and  the 
improvidence  of  the  inhabitants  brought  about  a  condition  that  threat- 
ened thousands  of  human  lives  and  forced  upon  you  as  the  supreme 
authority  here  the  necessity  for  taking  immediate  steps  to  prevent  a 
catastrophe.  That  action  was  taken,  and,  thanks  to  the  generosity 
of  our  Government  and  people  at  home,  the  catastrophe  was  averted. 
The  poor — and  none  was  ever  poorer — have  been  fed  and  their  lives 
preserved.  But  the  end  is  not  yet. 

By  reference  to  the  consolidated  weekly  reports  of  this  board  it  will 
be  seen  that  though  a  large  part  of  the  island  is  no  longer  receiving 
relief,  nevertheless  the  number  of  indigents  requiring  assistance 
remains  about  the  same,  and  the  amount  of  the  weekly  issues  has  not 
diminished.  Indeed,  from  now  until  February  the  demand  is  quite 
likely  to  increase  somewhat  in  the  mountain  districts,  for  until  the 
bananas  and  plantains  are  ripe  the  relief  work  in  Porto  Rico  must  con- 
tinue. In  the  uplands  these  fruits  will  not  be  ripe  for  two  months  yet. 

A  glance  at  the  map  of  the  island  will  illustrate  the  concentration 
of  the  relief  work,  and  some  knowledge  of  the  inaccessibility  of  the 
interior  will  show  the  difficulties  this  board  has  to  contend  with  in 
getting  material  to  the  starving. 

From  Aguas  Buenas,  on  the  east,  to  Lares,  on  the  west,  and  from 
Adjuntas,  on  the  south,  into  Arecibo,  and  on  the  north,  there  lies  one 
of  the  most  beautiful,  thickly  populated,  and  inaccessible  regions  in 
the  world.  It  covers  a  space  about  50  miles  long  by  20  wide ;  embraces 
17  municipalities;  has  a  population  of  about  250,000,  and  not  a  wagon 
road  in  any  direction  over  which  food  can  be  transported.  Every 
pound  of  food  has  to  be  carried  on  the  back  of  a  horse.  Of  this  popu- 
lation 200,000  must  be  fed  by  us  or  starve.  If  they  are  not  fed  at 
home,  the  strong  will  emigrate  to  the  coast  cities,  leaving  the  weak  to 
die,  their  work  undone,  and  their  future  hopeless. 

But  this  is  not  all:  Pestilence-,  the  twin  sister  of  famine,  has 
appeared,  and  epidemic  dysentery  is  claiming  a  considerable  number 
of  victims  in  the  mountains.  This  epidemic  will  spread  to  the  coast 
should  a  general  movement  of  the  people  occur  in  that  direction. 

Fortunately  all  this  was  anticipated  and  is  now  being  successfully 
controlled ;  but  we  can  not  relinquish  our  efforts  at  this  critical  period 
without  losing  much  of  what  we  have  gained  by  the  hardest  kind  of 
work,  and  relief  must  continue  freely  and  generally  in  the  mountain 
districts  for  all  of  December  and,  I  believe,  for  the  most  of  January. 


314   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHAKITIES  OF  POKTO  RICO. 

This  means  that  we  will  require  2,000  additional  tons  of  food,  four- 
sevenths  of  which  should  be  rice,  two-sevenths  beans,  and  one-seventh 
codfish  or  bacon.  The  change  in  the  proportion  of  beans  and  rice  is 
rendered  desirable  by  the  fact  that  the  white  bean  is  much  harder  than 
the  native  bean,  and  the  proper  method  of  cooking  it  not  being  under- 
stood, it  causes  digestive  troubles,  and  no  doubt  is  one  of  the  deter- 
mining factors  in  the  production  of  the  dj^sentery  now  so  universal. 

By  reference  to  the  estimate  of  August  12,  1899,  it  will  be  found 
that  it  was  there  stated  that  the  food  requirements  of  the  relief  work 
would  equal  14,875  tons  (29,750,000  pounds).  With  the  2,000  tons 
required  in  addition  to  that  already  issued  and  now  on  hand,  the  total 
issue  will  be  20,162,788.  It  was  found  that  an  average  of  5  pounds  of 
food  weekly  would  meet  the  necessities,  and  the  ration  was  reduced 
accordingly  in  most  places. 

The  generous  supply  of  medicines  sent  by  the  Central  Relief  Com- 
mittee enables  this  board  to  meet  all  demands  for  remedies,  which  are 
freely  made  and  promptly  answered,  the  distribution  being  effected 
through  the  Medical  Supply  Depot,  United  States  Army,  and  the  post 
hospitals. 

During  the  whole  period  of  the  relief  much  trouble  has  been  taken 
to  prevent  pauperization  by  requiring  able-bodied  men  to  work  for 
the  food  they  received.  Owing  to  various  causes  this  was  not  always 
successful,  but  nevertheless  a  great  deal  of  public  work  has  been 
done  in  the  way  of  cleaning  towns,  repairing  roads,  etc. 

Various  plans  for  utilizing  the  unemployed  were  devised,  among 
them  that  of  a  combination  between  this  board,  the  impecunious 
planters,  and  their  peons.  The  essence  of  this  plan  is  that  the  board 
of  charities  should  furnish  food  to  the  planters  for  the  number  of 
peons  and  their  families  required  by  them  in  restoring  and  cultivat- 
ing their  farms,  in  return  for  which  the  planters  sign  a  written  agree- 
ment to  furnish  a  small  parcel  of  land  and  a  hut  to  each  family,  which 
land  they  are  to  see  prepared  and  seeded  with  food  plants.  They  are 
also  to  see  that  the  laborers  and  families  are  supplied  with  the  food 
supplied  by  this  board,  and  that  the  laborers  render  a  full  day's  work 
in  return. 

The  planter  furnishes  transportation  for  the  food  from  the  most  con- 
venient depot  to  his  farm. 

This  plan  was  promulgated  on  the  15th  of  September,  it  being  esti- 
mated that  possibly  500  planters  would  avail  themselves  of  the  oppor- 
tunity. Applications  began  to  pour  in  upon  the  board  at  that  date, 
and  have  continued  to  this  dajr  in  undiminished  numbers.  Three 
thousand  four  hundred  and  thirteen  applications  have  been  received, 
of  which  thus  far  795  have  been  approved,  134  suspended,  28  have 
been  declined,  and  the  remainder  are  being  investigated.  Through 
this  means  39,344  people  are  being  fed,  many  of  them  in  places  where 
otherwise  it  would  have  been  almost  impossible  to  reach  them;  7,869 
laborers  are  at  work,  800  plantations  are  being  restored,  and  8,000 
plots  of  ground  are  producing  food  which  will  soon  be  ready  for 
consumption. 

The  board  believes  that  this  plan  was  well  conceived  and  is  fraught 
with  good  to  all  concerned.  It  certainly  has  added  greatly  to  its 
labor,  as  each  applicant  is  carefully  investigated  and  each  case  in- 
volves the  writing  of  at  least  seven  papers,  and  oftentimes  more, 
before  completion. 

The  administrative  work  of  the  board  early  began  to  run  smoothly. 
The  transportation  and  supply  depot,  under  the  immediate  charge  of 
Maj.  Thomas  Cruse,  quartermaster,  detailed  by  General  Orders,  No. 


EEPOKT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    Ofr  PORTO -RICO.        315 

120,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters,  has  been  admirably 
conducted,  and  the  supplies  so  promptly  distributed  that  no  failure 
has  ever  occurred  between  the  central  and  division  depots.  A  strict 
system  of  accountability  has  been  devised,  and  it  is  believed  that 
with  the  close  of  the  work  everything  received  here  can  and  will  be 
duly  accounted  for  by  vouchers. 

As  a  general  proposition  it  may  be  stated  that  all  relief  work  must 
be  accepted  as  the  least  of  two  evils,  and  that  it  should  be  stopped  at 
the  earliest  practicable  moment.  In  this  view  of  the  case,  the  board 
of  charities  may  venture  to  briefly  express  an  opinion  upon  the 
economic  situation  here. 

The  year  ending  with  the  day  of  the  hurricane  was  one  of  extreme 
unrest  and  uncertainty  in  Porto  Rico,  but  not  one  lacking  in  pros- 
perity. The  invasion  was  not  followed  by  the  devastation  of  war, 
but  by  the  influx  of  millions  of  dollars  disbursed  for  and  by  the 
thousands  of  soldiers  who  landed  on  these  shores.  To  be  sure,  the 
channels  of  exterior  trade  were  somewhat  dislocated,  business  had 
not  adjusted  itself  to  new  conditions,  there  were  doubt  and  apprehen- 
sion among  the  capitalists;  but  in  spite  of  this  the  balance  to  profit 
must  have  been  greater  than  that  to  loss,  and  except  for  the  inability 
of  real  property  to  hire  money,  due  to  a  cause  not  necessary  to  men- 
tion, conditions  in  Porto  Rico  might  be  said  to  have  been  prosperous. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  within  a  single  day,  all  this  had  changed, 
and  distress,  poverty,  want,  starvation,  and  death  suddenly  stood 
where  on  the  previous  day  were  comparative  comfort,  bright  pros- 
pects, and  high  hopes  for  the  future.  The  exciting  cause  of  this  change 
was  the  hurricane,  but  the  continuing  cause  is  the  locking  up  of  cap- 
ital, of  which  there  is  doubtless  just  as  much,  if  not  more,  in  Porto 
Rico  to-day  than  there  ever  has  been. 

Until  this  capital  is  unlocked,  until  money  begins  to  flow  freely  in 
its  natural  channels — in  a  word,  until  confidence  is  restored — the  wrork 
of  this  board  must  continue.  It  is  fully  realized  that  this  statement 
is  axiomatical  and  has  been  many  times  expressed,  but  oftentimes 
even  self-evident  truths  must  be  iterated  and  reiterated  before  the 
desired  impression  is  produced. 

The  board  believes  that  it  can  perceive  at  least  three  means  by 
which  confidence  will  be  restored  and  capital  made  available,  one 
demanding  the  executive  action  of  the  department  commander  and 
the  others  the  legislative  action  of  Congress. 

These  are:  (1)  To  restore  the  borrowing  power  of  the  land  by  per- 
mitting mortgage  laws  to  take  their  course;  (2)  to  spend  freely  on 
public  roads  the  money  to  be  borrowed  on  guaranteed  bonds;  and  (3) 
to  invite  the  introduction  of  outside  capital  by  a  judicious  granting 
of  franchises. 

Our  Government  and  people  have  generously  contributed  food  to 
save  the  lives  of  starving  thousands,  the  only  thing  that  could  be  done; 
but  better  far  for  the  people  and  the  state  to  invest  ten  borrowed 
millions  in  public  works  than  one  contributed  million  in  pauperizing 
charity. 
.  Respectfully  submitted. 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

President. 


APPENDIX  C. 
(Blanks  used  in  relief  work  were  omitted,  owing  to  cost  of  printing.) 


IP.AJEIT   II. 

INSTITUTIONS 


317 


PART  II-INSTITUTIONS. 


CHARITY  SCHOOLS,  INSANE  ASYLUM,  AND  LEPER  HOSPITAL. 

All  matters  respecting  charitable  institutions,  including  homes  and  asylums  for 
succor  of  the  poor,  sick,  or  incurables  who  are  supported  by  insular  expenditures, 
together  with  matters  relating  to  assistance  for  the  sufferers  by  the  recent  hurri- 
cane, are  committed  to  a  board  of  charities. 

To  this  board  will  be  transferred  the  executive  and  administrative  control  of 
the  insane  asylum,  the  orphan  asylum,  and  the  leper  colony. 

The  above  is  an  extract  from  the  order  establishing  the  board,  of 
charities  of  Porto  Rico.  The  "homes  and  asylums  for  the  succor  of 
the  poor,  sick,  and  incurables"  were  all  included  in  "the  insane  asy- 
lum, the  orphan  asylum,  and  the  leper  colony."  There  were  no 
others.  At  the  time  of  the  publication  of  the  above  order,  there  was 
no  office  existing  to  which  the  care  of  public  charity  could  be  properly 
assigned. 

The  orphan  asylum  was  in  charge  of  the  board  of  education,  and 
the  other  two  institutions  were  transferred  from  the  board  of  health. 

Public  charity  had  never  reached  sufficient  proportions  in  Porto 
Rico  to  require  the  establishment  of  a  special  department  for  the  care 
of  its  institutions.  It  is  true  that  a  board  of  charities  was  formed 
here  in  the  beginning  of  the  present  century,  about  1822,  but  it  was  a 
municipal  body  and  it  had  no  definite  public  responsibilities.  Its  life 
was  short,  for  it  was  abolished  during  the  following  year. 

It  may  therefore  be  said  that  the  board  formed  last  August  is  the 
first  of  its  kind  in  Porto  Rico. 

Its  field  has  been  limited  to  the  work  which  came  to  it  at  its  insti- 
tution. 

Its  duties  along  the  line  of  hurricane  relief  have  prevented  anything 
more  in  the  administration  of  permanent  insular  charity  than  the 
care  of  the  three  asylums  originally  given  over  to  its  charge. 

The  board  appreciated  the  fact  that  organizations  of  charity  through- 
out the  entire  island  was  a  consummation  ultimately  to  be  obtained, 
either  through  its  agency  or  that  of  its  successor  under  a  civil  govern- 
ment. It  realized  that  charity  was  a  most  pressing  necessity.  It  also 
realized  that  it  was  here  most  freely  dispensed,  without  any  system 
whatever.  And  it  was  obvious  that  organization  with  a  view  to  a  sys- 
tematic and  scientific  management  of  this  work  of  so  vital  importance 
in  any  people's  progress  was  an  essential  part  in  any  scheme  for  the 
advancement  of  Porto  Rico's  interests. 

Of  charitable  institutions  throughout  the  island,  the  number  was 
extremely  small,  and  these  were  private  in  character.  There  were  no 
almshouses,  few  hospitals  which  merited  the  name,  no  asylums  for 
special  classes,  no  dispensaries ;  in  fact,  there  was  nothing  to  substi- 
tute for  the  custom  of  supporting  street  beggars,  so  universal  in  Latin 
coiin  tries. 

An  industrial  school  was  considered  one  of  the  first  institutions  to  be 
established.  The  administration  of  the  orphan  asylum  brought  the 
need  of  such  to  the  attention  of  the  board.  There  were  many  incor- 
rigibles  therein,  the  proper  place  for  whom  was  a  reformatory  school; 

319 


320   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

in  fact,  the  asylum  itself  had  come  to  be  considered  in  the  light  of 
such  an  institution. 

The  establishment  of  this  school  was  to  have  been  one  of  the  first 
of  the  board's  undertakings  upon  the  cessation  of  the  relief  work.  It 
was  intended  to  provide  for  it  in  the  quarters  occupied  by  the  boys  of 
the  orphan  asylum  before  their  removal  to  S'anturce.  But,  as  evi- 
denced by  the  first  part  of  the  report,  the  arduous  work  of  relieving 
the  hurricane  indigents  remained  undiminished  until  the  board  gave 
place  to  its  successor  under  the  civil  government,  and  indeed  for  some 
time  thereafter. 

Consequently  the  time  and  attention  necessary  to  extend  the  per- 
manent charitable  organizations  could  not  be  given,  and  the  work  of 
the  board  along  these  lines  was  confined  to  such  as  related  to  the 
institutions  that  came  to  it  upon  its  organization. 

In  the  beginning  the  administration  of  these  was  of  necessity  car- 
ried on  considerably  according  to  the  regulations  in  force  under  the 
Spanish  Government.  This  applies  particularly  to  the  admissions  and 
discharges  and  the  internal  management.  However,  everything  to  the 
minutest  detail  was  under  the  direct  supervision  of  a  committee  of 
the  board.  The  administration  of  the  finances  was  radically  changed 
to  conform  to  the  strict  accountability  demanded  in  all  cases  where 
insular  funds  were  disbursed. 

A  complete  purchasing  department  was  organized  in  the  office  of 
the  board,  and  every  expenditure  for  materials  was  made  through  this 
department.  The  greatest  possible  economy  was  thereby  obtained. 
The  method  in  use  required  a  monthly  requisition  for  supplies  from 
each  institution.  If  this  was  approved  by  the  board  it  was  turned 
over  to  the  purchasing  agent,  who  placed  a  detailed  list  of  the  sup- 
plies needed  for  all  departments  with  the  various  merchants.  These 
submitted  bids  on  each  separate  article,  and  the  orders  were  placed 
accordingly. 

Upon  the  removal  of  the  children  to  Santurce  a  set  of  regulations 
governing  all  departments  was  adopted,  and  a  system  of  reports  and 
returns  perfected. 

A  brief  history  outlining  the  progress  under  this  board  and  the 
report  of  the  chairman  of  the  committee  of  the  beneficencia  follows. 

INSANE  ASYLUM  AND   CHARITY  SCHOOLS. 

For  a  history  of  the  manicomio  (insane  asylum)  and  beneficencia 
(orphan  asylum),  attention  is  invited  to  the  excellent  article  on  the 
subject  by  Dr.  Francisco  de  Goenaga,  the  present  superintendent  of 
the  insane  asylum.  From  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  these  insti- 
tutions until  the  occupation  of  the  island  b}T  our  forces  they  were 
under  the  control  of  the  diputacion  provincial,  a  body  peculiarly 
Spanish,  of  which  no  prototype  exists  in  our  own  country.  Such  a 
body  being  considered  superfluous,  it  was  abolished  by  General 
Brooke  on  November  29,  1898.  In  the  general  orders  discontinuing 
it  the  department  commander  made  use  of  the  following  words :  ' '  The 
existence  of  the  body  known  as  the  diputacion  provincial  being  con- 
sidered as  wholly  unnecessary  and  incompatible  with  the  present  ad- 
ministration of  public  affairs,  it  is  hereby  discontinued  and  abolished." 

The  same  order  assigned  the  care  of  charitable  institutions  to  the 
secretary  of  state.  The  insane  and  orphan  asylums  were  practically 
the  only  institutions  included  under  this  heading.  About  two  months 
later  a  change  was  again  made  in  the  administrative  state  depart- 
ments by  General  Order  15,  series  1899.  This  inaugurated  a  depart- 


EEPOKT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        321 

ment  of  the  interior,  among  the  duties  of  which  the  care  of  the  asylums 
was  included.  They  passed  to  a  subbureau  of  education,  and  remained 
therewith  until  the  formation  of  the  superior  board  of  health  in  June, 
1899,  when  the  insane  asylum  was  placed  under  its  control.  The  hur- 
ricane of  August  8  prompted  the  military  governor  to  institute  an 
insular  board  of  charities,  whose  principal  object  at  that  time  was  to 
manage  the  work  of  relief  which  the  great  storm  made  necessary.  It 
was  nevertheless  designed  that  this  board  should  be  permanent,  and 
the  care  of  all  insular  charities  was  transferred  to  it. 

The  board  was  so  thoroughly  occupied  with  the  work  of  relief  that 
it  was  compelled  to  delegate  to  a  committee  the  complete  supervision 
of  the  insane  and  orphan  asylums  with  the  understanding  that  grad- 
ual but  progressive  improvement  was  in  order,  though  radical  changes 
should  be  deferred  until  such  time  as  the  subject  could  be  taken  more 
completely  under  consideration.  Such  changes  were  early  recognized 
as  necessary,  there  being  few  of  the  existing  conditions  wholly  com- 
patible with  the  ideas  of  the  board. 

The  beneficencia  building  itself  is  located  excellently  so  far  as 
hygienic  conditions  are  concerned,  but  the  fact  that  it  was  within  the 
bounds  of  a  thickly  populated  city  made  it  impossible  to  provide  for 
the  proper  exercise  of  the  inmates.  This  was  particularly  applicable 
to  those  of  the  orphan  asylums,  although  it  is  needless  to  say  that  it 
militated  against  the  physical  health  of  the  insane,  and  made  the  pos- 
sibility of  their  ultimate  recovery  more  remote. 

The  interior  arrangements  were  not  satisfactory.  The  installation 
of  a  modern  system  of  plumbing  was  required.  There  were  no  water 
connections.  The  closets  were  no  better  than  was  to  have  been 
expected,  simply  cesspools.  A  disregard  of  sanitation  was  apparent 
in  this  direction.  The  bathing  facilities,  especially  in  the  insane 
department,  were  inadequate. 

Many  minor  repairs  were  considered  advisable,  such  as  reflooring, 
placing  of  new  walls,  etc.  There  was  a  lack  of  properly  arranged 
school  space. 

The  laundry  and  kitchen  departments  were  most  complete,  and  the 
general  appearance  of  cleanliness  in  these  departments,  as  well  as 
throughout  the  remainder  of  the  building  was  notable. 

It  is  so  contrary  to  American  methods  to  permit  religious  influences 
to  permeate  public  institutions  that  the  paramount  importance 
attached  to  all  things  Roman  Catholic  at  the  asylum  naturally 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  board.  There  was  an  order  of  sister: 
hood  represented,  which  literally  controlled  the  entire  institution 
from  the  preparation  of  the  morning's  coffee  to  the  permitting  of  the 
superintendent  to  enter  the  building  after  a  certain  hour  at  night. 
The  superintendent,  by  the  way,  was  theoretically  the  head  of  the 
institution.  The  Sisters  of  Charity  were  originally  brought  from  Spain 
under  contract  with  the  Government  to  serve  at  the  Beneficencia. 

The  sisters  are  excellent  managers  and  know  no  end  to  their  labors. 
Although  their  contract  was  a  most  liberal  instrument  to  them,  their 
absolute  control  of  the  internal  arrangement  was  undoubtedly  due  to 
their  excellent  personal  qualities,  which  in  the  natural  order  of  things 
gave  them  that  which  the  superintendent,  a  political  appointee  and 
possibly  a  party  pensioner,  was  theoretically  supposed  to  retain. 

As  regards  the  internal  conduct  of  affairs,  it  may  be  said  that  the 
chief  condition  that  appealed  to  the  board  was  a  certain  indefinable 
spirit  of  nonprogressiveness,  a  noticeable  backwardness,  as  compared 
to  the  modern  advancement  of  our  home  institutions.  In  the  insane 
asylum  the  absence  of  modern  methods  in  the  care  and  treatment  of 

19709—01 21 


322       BEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    POETO    BICO. 

the  patients  was  apparent.  It  impressed  the  members  of  the  board 
as  a  home  for  those  mentally  afflicted  where  good  food,  a  fairly  com- 
fortable habitation,  and  medical  treatment  for  incidental  physical 
maladies  were  obtainable,  but  where  enthusiasm  in  the  scientific  treat- 
ment of  mental  infirmities  was  not  present. 

The  dormitories  were  clean,  the  infirmary  was  well  taken  care  of, 
and  the  courtyard  was  free  from  objectionable  features.  The  cells 
were  simply  small  rooms,  none  padded  or  supplied  with  modern  appli- 
ances. As  before  mentioned,  the  cesspools  were  offensive,  and  the 
plan  of  placing  buckets  in  a  ward  and  a  small  room  where  the  patients 
congregated,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  their  excreta,  of  course 
required  alteration. 

As  regards  the  orphans,  it  might  be  said  incidentally  that  the  asy- 
lum had  come  to  be  regarded  by  many  as  a  house  of  correction,  and 
powerful  influence  always  secured  the  admission  of  a  child  in  advance 
of  his  fellows,  whose  applications  may  have  been  filed  for  many  years. 
In  this  way  the  original  intention  was  perverted,  and  there  were  many 
inmates  who  had  no  moral  or  legal  right  to  enjoy  the  benefits  of  the  insti- 
tution. They  were  composed  largely  of  a  class  whose  natural  instincts 
were  not  of  the  highest  order  and  whose  prototype  may  be  seen  in  our 
industrial  schools  at  home.  Order  was  well  maintained,  but  by  con- 
stant restraint.  Individualism  seemed  to  be  wanting,  and  any  effort 
to  encourage  personal  ambition  was  not  apparent. 

The  educational  features  were  certainly  not  modern.  There  was  no 
well-regulated  system  of  grading.  The  books  were  obsolete,  and  the 
facilities  were  inadequate.  Children  who  had  been  inmates  for  years 
were  discharged  unable  to  read.  Many  in  the  institution  could  not 
read  or  write,  and  the  attainments  of  the  more  learned  were  hardly 
more  satisfactory.  On  one  occasion  a  committee  of  the  board  con- 
ducted a  superficial  examination  and  it  was  discovered  that  a  class  in 
reading  was  able  to  peruse  certain  schoolbooks,  but  merely  by  rote, 
they  not  having  an  idea  of  the  subject  discussed. 

The  fact  that  all  instruction  was  more  or  less  religious  in  character 
was  noted. 

Although  the  sexes  were  as  strictly  separated  in  both  asylums  as 
was  possible,  a  certain  amount  of  intercommunication  was  unavoid- 
able, and  the  fact  that  orphans  and  insane  were  housed  under  one 
roof  and  that  the  male  and  female  orphan  departments  w^ere  in  juxta- 
position was  not  in  conformity  with  the  board's  ideas,  and  separation 
was  made  more  urgent  when  suspicions  arose  that  clandestine  meet- 
ings had  been  held  by  certain  of  the  older  boys  and  girls. 

The  regulations  governing  the  institutions  adopted  in  1886  covered 
the  ground  satisfactorily,  except  in  one  important  feature — that  of 
religion.  They  were  not,  however,  strictly  enforced,  as  evidenced  by 
the  nature  of  the  admittances  and  by  the  incompleteness  of  certain 
returns  and  reports  therein  required. 

Although  an  insular  institution,  there  were  found  no  provision  for 
proportionate  representation  from  the  various  municipalities.  In  fact, 
the  number  of  San  Juan's  inmates  was  far  in  excess  of  its  share. 

The  above  were  a  few  of  the  features  which  early  impressed  the 
board.  At  its  first  meeting,  on  August  10,  1899,  the  entire  supervision 
of  the  institution  was  delegated  to  the  following  members  as  a  com- 
mittee of  the  Beneficencia:  Dr.  Del  Valle,  Surgeon  Wieber,  Captain 
Wells,  Chaplain  Brown,  and  Rev.  Father  Nin.  Chaplain  Brown  and 
Father  Nin  were  constituted  a  subcommittee  on  the  orphan  depart- 
ment, and  Surgeon  Wieber  and  Captain  Wells  on  the  insane  asylum. 

Upon  the  departure  of  Dr.  Del  Valle  for  the  United  States  and  his 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   323 

consequent  resignation  as  a  member  of  the  board,  this  committee  was 
reorganized  and  constituted  as  follows:  Surgeon  Wieber,  chairman; 
Chaplain  Brown  and  Father  Nin,  subcommittee  on  orphan  depart- 
ment, and  Captain  Wells  and  Senor  Degetau  on  insane.  Senor 
Federico  Degetau  was  appointed  a  board  member  by  the  governor  to 
fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  Senor  Del  Valle's  departure. 

In  the  first  part  of  September  Chaplain  Brown  was  relieved  as  a 
member  of  the  board,  and  Captain  Reynolds  took  his  place  as  coni- 
initteeman. 

The  committee  investigated  applications  for  admission  and  recom- 
mendations for  discharge.  It  approved  the  monthly  expenses.  Its 
decisions  regarding  appointment  of  teachers  and  other  employees 
were  accepted  by  the  board. 

On  August  31  it  submitted  its  estimate  of  expenses  for  the  ensuing 
year,  in  which  provision  was  made  for  an  amount  to  cover  the  expense 
of  many  needed  repairs.  The  estimate  and  report  accompanying  was 
as  follows : 

Estimate  of  expenses  for  1899  and  1900,  orphan  and  insane  asylums. 


Administration. 


1  director  and  chief  physician $2,000 

1  assistant  physician 900 

1  clerk 1,000 

1  practicante. ..- 600 

1  porter 300 

1  steward  and  messenger 360 

26  Sisters  of  Charity 4,680 

8  attendants  for  the  insane 2,400 

3  servants 360 

1  Sister  of  Charity  (pension) 72 

SCHOOL. 

1  professor. _ 900 

1  assistant  professor  (first  ayo) 600 

1  ayo  and  teacher 420 

1  ayo -...,. 300 

1  kindergarten  teacher 480 

1  professor  of  music , 500 

1  assistant  professor  of  music 180 

1  professor  of  drawing 500 

TRADE  SCHOOL. 

1  shoemaker 400 

1  tailor 400 

1  carpenter 500 

1  bookbinder 400 

1  printer 500 

1  engineer 600 

3  helpers,  for  the  car  pen  ter ,  printer,  and  engineer,  $300  each 900 

LABORERS. 

1  storekeeper  and  watchman 300 

I  helper 120 

SUPPLIES  AND   MATERIAL. 

Subsistence 19,224 

Clothing,  bedding,  and  shoes... 3,000 

Washing  and  sewing 576 

Utensils  and  furniture 480 

Medicines,  dressings,  and  instruments 700 

Lighting 400 

Tobacco  for  the  insane 60 

Water 720 

Sundries 300 

Chapel  and  religious  service 550 

A  small  library  for  orphan  asylum . 300 

Stationery  and  schoolbooks 600 

Material  for  trade  school 2,300 

REPAIRS  AND  IMPROVEMENTS  TO   BUILDING. 

To  insane  asylum  (about) 10,000 

To  orphan  asylum,  including  new  workshop  (about) 28;  000 

Total 87,882 


Salaries. 


NOTE.— The  repairs  going  on  at  the  present  time  in  the  insane  asylum  are  included  in  the 
estimate  of  expenses. 


324       EEPOET    OF   THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    POETO    EICO. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  August  31,  1899. 
PRESIDENT  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OP  PORTO  Rico. 

SIR:  The  committee  on  the  Beneficencia  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following 
report  on  that  institution: 

1.  The  building.— They  find  that  the  main  building,  which  contains  the  adminis- 
tration and  school  rooms,  also  the  dormitories  and  chapel,  is  unsanitary  by  reason 
of  the  presence  of  the  old  system  of  latrines,  which  are  not  connected  with  the 
city  sewer.  There  is  an  insufficient  water  supply  to  the  building.  There  are  no 
lavatories  or  bathrooms.  The  dormitories  are  overcrowded.  The  floor  in  many 
places  is  rotten.  One  of  the  shop  buildings  is  in  ruins. 

Recommendation. — The  building  should  be  repaired  wherever  necessary.  The 
present  latrines  should  be  abolished  as  soon  as  possible.  Proper  flush  closets  and 
urinals,  trapped  and  connected  with  the  city  sewer,  should  be  substituted.  Bath- 
rooms and  lavatories  should  be  introduced. 

Second.  ITie  school. — The  school  for  the  boys  is  at  present  badly  organized.  The 
number  of  teachers  is  inadequate  to  the  number  of  pupils  requiring  instruction. 
While  there  are  five  teachers  for  the  girls,  there  are  only  two  available  for  the 
boys.  The  school  is  in  want  of  books;  it  requires  a  rearrangement  of  its  classes 
according  to  the  ages  of  the  pupils.  For  want  of  proper  supervision  of  the  inmates 
of  the  institution,  a  bad  state  of  morality  exists,  which  can  only  be  suppressed  by 
decided  measures.  All  the  workshops  which  were  formerly  used  for  the  teaching 
of  various  trades  to  the  boys  after  they  had  attained*  a  certain  age  are  now  closed. 
A  large  amount  of  machinery  which  belongs  to  the  Beneficencia  is  left  on  the 
grounds  and  requires  careful  attention  to  keep  it  from  ruin. 

In  the  insane  asylum  sanitary  improvements  are  being  made  to  better  existing 
conditions.  The  building  and  all  arrangements  for  the  proper  care  of  the  insane, 
however,  are  altogether  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  an  institution  of  its  kind  at  the 
present  time.  Its  wards  are  also  overcrowded. 

In  order  to  improve  existing  conditions  at  the  Beneficencia,  the  committee  con- 
sidered it  essential  that  a  physician  of  experience  be  placed  at  its  head  who,  besides 
being  its  chief  physician,  shall  be  held  responsible  for  the  internal  administration 
and  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  institution.  He  shall  be  held  responsible  to  the 
board  of  charities.  We  suggest  for  this  appointment  Dr.  F.  de  Goenaga,  who, 
during  the  service  of  seven  years  as  the  physician  of  the  Beneficencia,  has  become 
acquainted  with  its  system  of  administration,  its  defects,  and  its  needs.  The  salary 
of  §2,000  is  suggested  as  a  proper  remuneration  for  his  services. 

We  further  recommend  that  the  position  of  assistant  physician  be  created,  with 
a  salary  of  $900. 

The  positions  of  clerk,  practicante,  porter,  steward,  attendants,  etc.,  as  men- 
tioned in  the  estimate  of  expenses,  are  recommended  to  be  continued.  For  the 
school  the  following  additional  force  is  deemed  necessary:  One  additional  ayo, 
who  shall  be  a  qualified  teacher;  1  kindergarten  teacher;  1  professor  of  music  and 
1  assistant;  1  teacher  of  drawing. 

If  one  of  the  objects  of  the  institution,  namely,  that  of  teaching  the  older  boys 
who  have  passed  the  school  age  various  trades  and  thus  make  them  useful  mem- 
bers of  the  community,  is  to  be  respected,  the  trade  schools  must  be  reopened  or 
else  all  the  boys  above  the  mentioned  age  must  be  discharged  from  the  asylum. 

We  recommend  that  the  trade  schools  be  reopened;  that  the  necessary  building, 
which  was  destroyed  by  fire  a  short  time  ago,  be  rebuilt.  The  following  shops  can 
be  reopened  in  a  very  short  while:  The  shoemaker's  shop,  the  tailor  shop,  the 
bookbinder  shop.  The  other  shops  can  not  be  worked  until  the  necessary  build- 
ing and  boiler  has  been  set  up.  It  is  suggested  that  the  work  done  in  these  shops 
should  be,  primarily,  work  for  the  Beneficencia;  later,  Government  work  of  vari- 
ous kinds  could  be  done.  The  following  force  is  recommended:  One  shoemaker, 
1  tailor,  1  carpenter,  1  bookbinder,  1  printer,  1  engineer,  and  3  mechanics. 

The  storekeeper  and  helper  are  at  present  needed  to  look  after  tools  and 
machinery. 

At  last  we  recommend  that  the  item  of  a  small  library,  to  consist  of  select  Eng- 
lish and  Spanish  books  for  the  use  of  the  children,  be  allowed,  to  supply  a  pressing 
want.  Out  of  school  hours  the  children  have  nothing  to  occupy  their  mind. 
Their  playgrounds  are  very  limited,  and  as  a  consequence  constant  quarrels  and 
still  worse  results  of  enforced  idleness  have  come  under  observation. 

We  further  recommend  that  all  pupils  on  reaching  the  age  of  18  should  be 
discharged  from  the  asylum. 

Very  respectfully,  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  BENEFICENCE 

F.  W.  F.  WIEBER, 

Surgeon,  U.  S.  N.,  Chairman  of  Committee. 
F.  DEGETAU  Y  GONZALES. 

The  PRESIDENT  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   325 

This  was  forwarded  to  the  military  governor;  approval  recom- 
mended. The  second  indorsement  by  the  governor  was  as  follows: 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  president  of  the  board  of  charities.  Owing  to  the 
state  of  the  finances  of  the  island  and  the  island  itself,  as  a  result  of  the  cyclone, 
it  is  considered  advisable  that  the  expenses  should  not  exceed  what  is  provided 
for  in  the  budget. 

By  command  Brigadier -General  Davis: 

J.  S.  BATTLE,  Aid-de-Camp. 

And  a  further  indorsement  from  the  same  source  stated  that — 
The  budget  calls  for  the  following: 

Orphan  asylum. ..-__ - -   §27,017 

Orphan  asylum  and  school 5, 100 

Insane  asylum - -  22, 903 

Total. -- .-- -     55,020 

The  estimate  herewith,  exclusive  of  the  item  of  repairs,  is  $49,882,  which,  accord- 
ing to  Mr.  Clark,  who  prepared  the  original  estimate  for  the  general  budget,  is 
$5,762  in  excess  of  such  original  estimate  for  these  two  institutions  proper,  omit- 
ting the  educational  features.  But  this  difference  is  just  about  the  original  allow- 
ance for  the  orphan  asylum  school  proper,  and  is  approved,  which  brings  the 
total  appropriation  to  the  amount  stated,  to  wit,  $55,020  for  the  Beneficencia  and 
the  insane  asylum. 

But  as  respects  the  $38,000  for  these  repairs  $13,200  is  now  all  that  can  be  appro- 
priated, and  with  this  modification  the  budget  as  submitted  within  is  approved. 

The  lack  of  the  necessary  funds,  as  evidenced  by  the  above,  was 
the  chief  obstacle  to  the  rapid  advance  of  the  physical  improvements. 
Delay  was  experienced  in  securing  expert  opinion  from  the  bureau  of 
public  works,  which  was  unusually  busy  on  property  damaged  by  the 
hurricane.  Although  the  conditions  requiring  alteration  were  many 
and  varied,  there  was  no  hesitancy  in  allotting  the  limited  means 
available  to  the  work  of  installing  a  sanitary  system  of  plumbing  at 
the  insane  asylum.  Because  of  the  necessary  formalities  to  be 
observed,  progress  in  the  work  was  much  delayed ;  but  on  September  16 
the  committee  reported  that  the  architect  of  the  bureau  of  public 
works  had  at  last  been  secured,  and  had  visited  the  Beneficencia  for 
the  purpose  of  instituting  the  necessary  alterations,  and  such  went 
forward  gradually  until  the  first  week  in  the  following  January, 
when  they  were  completed. 

The  committee's  recommendations  regarding  the  sanitary  improve- 
ments in  the  orphans'  department,  submitted  October  14,  1899,  were 
as  follows : 

In  order  to  put  the  orphan  asylum  in  good  sanitary  condition,  the  following 
changes  are  considered  necessary: 

1.  The  building  should  be  connected  with  the  city  water  system. 

2.  Proper  sanitary  water-closets  and  urinals  should  take  the  place  of  the  present 
latrines,  and  should  be  connected  with  the  sewer. 

3.  The  old  cesspools  should  be  emptied  and  filled  in  after  disinfection. 

4.  Sanitary  lavatories  and  bath  rooms,  with  properly  tapped  sinks  and  bath 
arrangements  for  the  two  sides,  the  hospital  wards,  the  director's  and  the  sisters' 
quarters,  should  be  introduced  as  soon  as  possible. 

5.  A  verbal  estimate  of  this  work  has  been  submitted  by  the  board  of  public 
works,  which  sets  the  cost  of  these  changes  at  about  $8,000.    Similar  repairs  to 
the  insane  asylum  are  estimated  to  cost  about  $7,200,  making  a  total  of  $15,200. 
As  only  $13,200  is  set  apart  for  repair  work  at  the  Beneficencia,  the  sum  of  $2.000 
is  needed  to  accomplish  the  wants  of  the  institution  in  that  line. 

6.  It  is  respectfully  requested  that  the  necessary  amount  of  money  be  allowed 
from  i  unds  already  allowed  for  Beneficencia  use  to  enable  us  to  make  these  neces- 
sary repairs. 

Very  respectfully,  F.  W.  F.  WIEBER, 

Chairman  Committee  Beneficencia. 


326       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

The  commanding  general  placed  the  following  indorsement  thereon : 

An  additional  allotment  of  $3,000  for  repairs  of  the  orphan  asylum  and  insane 
asylum,  as  recommended  within,  is  approved,  but  the  aggregate  of  appropriation 
for  these  two  institutions  as  contained  in  the  present  budget  must  not  be  exceeded. 
Other  items  in  new  appropriations  for  these  two  institutions  must  be  diminished 
in  the  aggregate  by  the  sum  of  $2,000. 

It  will  be  noted  that  economy  was  still  of  the  first  consideration. 

The  board  of  public  works  was  about  to  commence  these  repairs 
when  the  proposition  to  remove  the  children  into  other  quarters  was 
brought  prominently  before  the  authorities.  This  prompted  the  fol- 
lowing communication  from  the  governor,  which  caused  the  cessation 
of  all  action  in  this  direction: 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  president  of  the  board  of  public  works. 

The  $2,000  referred  to  was  to  be  expended  by  the  board  of  public  works  in 
addition  to  the  $13,280  allowed  in  the  budget.  No  special  items  were  to  be  dimin- 
ished, but  the  board  of  charities  was  to  so  cut  down  expenses  at  the  orphan  and 
insane  asylum  as  to  allow  this  additional  amount  for  repairs. 

However,  as  there  is  a  chance  of  the  orphans  being  removed  to  the  Ecuelas  Pias, 
the  repairs  to  the  orphan  asylum  will  be  for  the  present  deferred. 

'Official  copy  respectfully  furnished  to  the  president  of  the  board  of  charities. 

The  administrative  history  of  the  institution  up  to  the  time  of  the 
removal  of  the  schools  to  Santurce  wa  s  as  follows :  The  regulations 
previously  governing  therein  remained  in  force  as  a  whole,  but  por- 
tions that  were  incompatible  with  the  views  of  the  board,  or  when 
the  exigencies  of  the  case  demanded,  were  disregarded  and  its  deci- 
sions upon  the  subject  substituted. 

The  internal  administration  remained  the  same.  There  were  no 
changes  in  methods  of  procedure  in  the  purchasing  or  accounting 
departments,  except  that  the  vouchers  for  such  expenses  were  subject 
to  the  approval  of  the  committee. 

The  admissions  and  discharges  were  made  according:  to  the  former 
routine,  but  all  were  passed  on  by  the  board,  and  personal  influence 
was  no  longer  a  factor  in  such  action. 

The  position  of  superintendent  had  become  a  sinecure  and  was 
openly  considered  a  suitable  reward  by  the  Government  to  one  whose 
services  had  been  long  and  faithful.  Such  an  incumbent  filled  the 
office.  It  was  decided  that  in  order  to  secure  to  the  position  its  pre- 
rogatives its  occupant  should  be  a  physician  of  high  professional  and 
moral  standing  and  a  man  whose  activity  was  not  impaired  by  age. 

Many  applications  for  the  superintendency  were  received  and 
referred  to  the  committee,  who  recommended  the  appointment  of  Dr. 
Francisco  Goenaga. 

The  recommendation  was  approved  by  the  board  and  the  position 
was  forthwith  tendered  and  accepted.  Dr.  Goenaga  had  been  physi- 
cian to  the  asylum  for  six  years.  He  accepted  the  appointment  on 
September  11  and  immediately  took  possession  of  his  office.  It  was 
designed  that  thereafter  the  superintendent  should  be  head  in  fact 
as  well  as  in  name. 

It  was  found  no  easy  task  to  reinvest  the  superintendent  with  such 
power  and  responsibilities  as  were  deemed  essential  to  his  office ;  but 
gradually  and  tactfully  the  ursurped  authority  has  been  transferred 
from  the  powers  that  had  been  for  twenty  years  (the  sisters)  to  the 
superintendent,  where  it  must  rest.  Yet  it  was  not  until  after  the 
military  government  had  ended  its  existence  that  many  of  the  keys 
were  finally  placed  in  his  keeping. 

The  crowded  condition  of  the  orphan  asylum  was  somewhat  relieved 
in  September  by  the  discharge  of  fourteen  boys  over  the  age  of  18  and 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        327 

two  whose  insubordinate  conduct  merited  such  action.  Another  reduc- 
tion was  effected  in  November,  when  it  was  decided  thaWG  should 
be  the  maximum  age  for  male  inmates.  The  question  of  diminishing 
the  number  of  female  inmates  was  difficult  to  solve.  They  could  not 
be  thrown  on  their  own  resources,  for  their  own  were  practically  nil. 
The  customs  of  the  country  were  responsible  for  this.  But  the  fact 
remained  that  those  who  had  no  families  could  not  be  discharged  with- 
out some  provision  being  made  for  their  future.  The  Woman's  Aid 
Society  was  communicated  with,  but  with  very  little  expectation  that 
any  arrangements  could  be  made.  The  education  of  the  girls  along 
such  lines  as  to  instill  into  their  minds  many  ideas  inimical  to  their 
future  usefulness  precluded  any  chance  of  their  legitimate  em- 
ployment. 

The  history  of  the  schools  for  the  orphans  runs  most  unevenly  dur- 
ing this  period.  The  above  report  of  the  committee  states  that  there 
were  five  teachers  for  the  girls — sisters,  by  the  way — and  only  two  for 
the  boys.  These  two  were  also  monitors  or  care  takers,  and  were 
engaged  doubtless  as  much  for  their  monitorial  qualities  as  for  their 
educational  attainments. 

In  the  matter  of  placing  the  schools  on  a  satisfactory  basis  the  diffi- 
culties encountered  were  many.  There  were  no  class  rooms,  there 
were  no  teachers,  there  were  no  books,  and,  above  all,  the  lack  of  dis- 
cipline resultant  from  a  year's  disorganization  was  most  difficult  to 
contend  with.  The  new  superintendent  reported  as  follows  soon  after 
taking  his  office : 

I  visited  the  schools  to-day  and  desire  to  report  to  the  board  that  they  are  not 
in  a  satisfactory  condition.  The  greater  proportion  of  the  children  are  unoccupied 
except  in  conversation  with  one  another.  The  teachers  assert  that  they  are  not 
at  fault  and  claim  that  the  condition  is  due  to  the  lack  of  books. 

It  may  be  said  in  passing  that  experience  has  demonstrated  that 
the  maintenance  of  order  in  a  schoolroom  is  not  to  be  expected  under 
a  native  teacher. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  board  on  October  2  it  was  decided  to  retain 
as  head  of  the  school  the  teacher  then  in  charge.  It  was  agreed  to 
increase  the  force  by  three  additional  ayos  (subordinate  teachers  and 
care  takers),  one  English  teacher  (male),  and  an  English  female  teacher 
for  the  kindergarten.  Applications  for  these  positions  were  referred 
to  Father  Nin  and  to  Senor  Degetau  as  a  committee.  At  this  meeting 
full  authority  was  given  to  the  committee  of  the  beneficencia  to  take 
any  steps  that  it  should  deem  necessary  to  accomplish  the  organiza- 
tions of  the  schools. 

On  October  23  the  English  teacher  took  charge  of  his  classes, 
only  to  resign  a  few  days  later.  He  was  reappointed.  A  week  later 
one  ayo  and  the  kindergarten  teacher  took  over  their  respective 
duties. 

The  need  of  satisfactory  school  space  was  most  keenly  felt.  One 
large  class  room  was  all  that  was  available.  It  was  thought  advisable 
to  divide  this,  but  again  the  expense  became  an  insurmountable  obsta- 
cle, and  other  means  for  accomplishing  the  end  were  sought.  It  was 
finally  decided  to  arrange  class  rooms  in  the  ends  of  the  several 
dormitories ;  and  though  anything  but  satisfactory,  it  seemed  the  only 
alternative. 

There  was  an  absolute  dearth  of  school  material,  including  books; 
but  in  this  particular  these  schools  were  but  suffering  as  all  others 
throughout  the  island.  The  board  was  dependent  upon  the  board  of 
education  for  furnishing  the  very  basis  of  its  school  organization,  and, 


328   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

neither  knowing  the  nature  of  the  material  to  be  provided  nor  the  date 
when  such  could  be  expected,  essential  arrangements  were  necessarily 
held  in  abeyance. 

In  order,  if  possible,  to  expedite  this  important  matter  the  following 
letter  was  addressed  to  the  military  governor: 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  October  13,  1899. 
The  MILITARY  GOVERNOR  OF  PORTO  Rico,  San  Juan. 

GENERAL:  Referring  to  the  letter  of  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on  the  bene- 
ficencia  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico,  recently  forwarded,  approved  by 
order  of  the  board,  I  have  the  honor  to  ask  if  the  schoolbooks  therein  requested 
can  be  issued  at  once,  so  that  the  school  at  the  orphan  asylum  may  be  instituted 
immediately.  It  goes  without  saying  that  school  facilities  are  very  necessary  in 
this  institution,  and  schoolbooks  are  an  essential  thereto. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
President  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 

This  was  referred  to  the  board  of  education  and  returned  indorsed 
that  "this  paper  was  received  October  26,  and  books  had  already  been 
distributed  to  the  asylum  schools." 

It  was  not  until  early  in  November  that  regular  and  systematic 
instruction  became  possible.  At  this  time  instruction  was  being  given 
in  two  sections.  Nevertheless  the  committee  reported  unsatisfactory 
progress. 

There  had  been  under  the  former  regime  a  department  of  trades, 
where  the  older  boys  were  taught  to  be  machinists,  tailors,  carpenters, 
shoemakers,  or  lithographers.  This  had  been  in  disuse  since  the 
American  occupation.  Efforts  were  at  once  made  to  secure  competent 
citizens  to  assume  charge  of  these  branches  and  recommence  the 
instructions  along  these  lines.  The  positions  were  advertised  and 
many  applications  received.  These  were  referred  to  a  committee  con- 
sisting of  Father  Nin  and  Senor  Degetau,  and  upon  their  recommen- 
dation three  mechanics  were  appointed  October  17.  The  absence  of 
school  organization  and  the  insufficiency  of  workshop  material  delayed 
this  section,  and  there  had  been  little  or  nothing  done  in  this  direction 
up  to  the  time  of  the  removal  of  the  schools  to  Santurce. 

It  of  course  had  always  been  held  as  one  of  the  necessary  moves  of 
the  future  to  separate  the  children  from  the  insane  and  to  provide  a 
separate  building  for  each  sex,  and  it  was  at  this  meeting  of  the  board, 
November  4,  that  the  question  was  brought  to  the  immediate  attention 
of  its  members,  it  having  been  ascertained  that  two  excellent  build- 
ings at  Santurce  could  be  made  available.  A  month  later  it  was  defi- 
nitely decided  to  make  the  transfer,  and  thereafter  further  alterations 
in  the  internal  arrangements  were  deferred.  At  this  meeting  also  the 
question  of  military  organization  in  the  schools  began  to  take  shape, 
although  the  idea  in  an  incipient  form  had  been  present  from  the 
beginning. 

The  two  buildings  at  Santurce  referred  to  are  the  Institute  and  the 
Madres.  The  former  was  built  in  1880,  when  it  was  placed  in  charge 
of  the  Jesuit  fathers.  It  was  later  turned  over  to  the  religious  order 
of  Pious  Schools,  and  was  in  its  possession  up  to  the  time  of  its  trans- 
fer to  the  board  of  charities.  It  could  accommodate  500  children  and 
was  destined  for  the  use  of  the  boys'  department. 

The  Madres  is  a  somewhat  smaller  building  erected  along  much  the 
same  lines  as  the  Institute,  and  located  about  half  a  mile  nearer  the 
city.  It  was  built  in  1883  and  turned  over  to  the  Mothers  of  the 
Heart  of  Jesus,  a  religious  order  of  nuns,  who  conducted  a  school 
therein  for  the  children  of  the  higher  social  classes.  These  buildings 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   329 

were  insular  property  and  the  military  governor  ordered  their  trans- 
fer to  this  board,  to  take  effect  not  later  than  January  1  of  this  year. 

Although  excellently  located,  the  buildings  themselves  naturally 
required  many  alterations  to  meet  their  new  use.  The  board  dele- 
gated the  supervision  of  this  work  to  the  committee  of  the  beneficen- 
cia  and  the  superintendent  of  the  insane  asylum.  The  improvements 
progressed  until,  by  the  last  week  in  January,  the  buildings  were 
sufficiently  adapted  to  meet  the  requirements  and  the  removal  of  the 
children  took  place. 

Benjamin  Del  Valle  was  appointed  acting  superintendent  of  the 
boys'  school  and  Sister  Martinez  of  the  girls'. 

Steps  were  now  taken  to  effect  an  entirely  new  organization  of  the 
administrative  force  and  a  radical  change  in  the  method  of  internal 
management. 

The  board  decided  that  the  time  was  appropriate  for  promulgating 
its  ideas  as  to  the  basis  of  organization  for  the  future.  It  was  first 
determined  that  the  institutions  should  thereafter  be  known  as  charity 
schools,  as  the  term  orphan  asylum  was  clearly  a  misnomer,  a  large 
per  cent  of  the  inmates  having  parents. 

The  need  of  regulations  for  the  government  of  the  now  separated 
schools  was  of  course  apparent,  and  those  now  in  operation  were 
adopted  by  the  board  on  March  8,  1900.  These  in  many  respects  were 
revolutionary  in  character,  and  it  was  well  understood  that  their  com- 
plete enforcement  would  not  be  attained  for  many  months,  and  such 
enforcement  was  not  begun  at  the  girls'  school  under  this  board  except 
so  far  as  the  rendering  of  reports  was  concerned.  Sister  Martinez 
declined  to  accept  the  superintendency  of  this  school  and,  on  the  rec- 
ommendation of  Father  Vallanueve  (the  head  of  the  order),  Sister 
Justa  Urra  was  appointed.  Sister  Justa  has  managed  the  school  in  a 
manner  satisfactory  to  the  church  and  her  order  (!)  with  few  restric- 
tions, and  the  running  has  been  comparatively  smooth. 

On  the  removal  of  the  schools  the  personnel  consisted  of  the  super- 
intendents, an  insufficient  number  of  sisters,  and  servants,  and  it  was 
not  until  nuns  arrived  from  Spain  011  March  1 3  that  it  was  possible  to 
complete  the  personnel.  This  unavoidable  lack  of  a  sufficient  number 
of  employees,  in  addition  to  the  absence  of  definite  regulations,  made 
the  absolute  satisfactory  running  of  the  school  impossible.  This  was 
of  course  expected.  On  March  12  it  was  decided  to  ask  Mrs.  Davis, 
Mrs.  Lugo  Vina,  and  Senora  Quinones  to  serve  as  a  visiting  committee 
to  inspect  the  schools.  They  very  kindly  accepted,  and  on  April  3 
visited  both  schools.  Their  report  on  that  of  the  girls  was  as  follows. 
It  indicates  that  evidence  of  the  results  of  the  above  condition  were 
apparent: 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  April  IS,  1900. 
To  Col.  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

President  of  the  Board  of  Charities. 

DEAR  SIR:  The  committee  of  ladies  appointed  by  the  board  of  charities  to  visit 
the  charity  schools  at  Santurce  begs  to  present  the  following  report  of  their  visit 
to  said  institutions  on  April  3,  1900: 

GIRLS'  SCHOOL. 

Our  visit  was  unexpected  by  the  sisters  in  charge.  We  found  all  the  older 
pupils  busily  engaged  in  lace  making,  tine  sewing,  or  in  making  clothing  for 
themselves,  under  the  supervision  of  the  sisters.  We  would  suggest  that  the 
mending  from  the  Boys'  Charity  School  now  done  in  this  institution  be  given  to 
capable  women,  who  would  dolt  in  a  proper  manner,  and  at  the  same  time  teach 
these  girls  how  it  should  be  done,  as  at  present  the  work  is  more  than  they  can  do, 
unaided,  and  the  sisters  say  they  have  no  time  to  devote  to  it. 


330       BEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF   POETO    EICO. 

The  girls  personally  are  in  an  uncleanly  condition.  There  are  no  means  fur- 
nished for  warm  baths,  and  cold  baths  are  required  only  once  a  week,  or  not  so 
often.  We  strongly  advise  warm  baths  once  or  twice  a  month  for  cleanliness,  as 
well  as  cold  baths  two  or  three  times  a  week,  and  sea  baths  now  and  then  as  a 
means  of  improving  their  general  health. 

Each  girl  should  have  two  towels.  At  present  two  girls  are  allowed  one  towel 
per  week.  Their  teeth  are  neglected.  Each  girl  should  have  her  own  brush  and 
comb,  and  be  required  to  use  them,  and  not  allowed  to  use  oil  on  her  hair.  We 
advise  that  the  hair  of  the  younger  girls  be  kept  short. 

Their  clothing  is  not  sufficient  for  cleanliness.  They  have  no  night  clothes  and 
are  obliged  to  wear  at  night  the  same  clothing  they  have  worn  through  the  day. 

There  is  only  one  sheet  on  each  bed,  which  is  changed  once  in  three  weeks. 
They  use  one  of  their  blankets  as  an  undersheet. 

The  house  is  fairly  clean,  with  the  exception  of  the  toilet  rooms,  which  are  in 
a  very  unsanitary  condition,  and  the  infirmary,  which  needs  a  thorough  cleaning. 
We  would  suggest  that  the  children  with  tuberculous  affections  be  isolated  or 
removed  from  the  institution. 

The  dinner  which  was  served  while  we  were  there  was  quite  good  and  abundant. 

We  would  also  suggest  that  a  woman  be  employed  to  teach  these  girls  plain 
American  cookery,  such  as  bread  making,  baking,  etc.  In  this  way  they  will 
learn  the  use  of  the  oven,  of  which  they  know  nothing,  and  at  the  same  time 
improve  and  vary  their  own  cooking,  and  find  themselves  with  some  means'of 
support  on  leaving  the  institution. 

The  general  appearance  of  the  girls  is  not  good.     They  show  lack  of  exercise  in 
the  open  air.  and  certain  moral  and  mental  depression  not  natural  to  children. 
We  think  outdoor  work  and  play  would  be  most  beneficial  to  them. 
Very  respectfully, 

CARMEN  A.  DAVIS. 

MODESTA  G.   DE   QUININES. 

GRACE  DE  W.  LUGO  VINA. 

The  conditions  to  which  attention  is  called  therein  had  been  recog- 
nized as  requiring  remedy,  and  progress  in  that  direction  had  been 
made.  But  the  necessity  of  economy  was  made  apparent  here  as  at  the 
insane  asylum,  as  evidenced  by  the  following  letter  from  the  president 
of  the  board,  and  the  accompanying  indorsement: 

FEBRUARY  19,  1900. 
MILITARY  GOVERNOR  OF  PORTO  Rico,  San  Juan,  P.  R. 

GENERAL:  In  order  to  increase  the  efficiency,  accommodation,  and  healthfulness 
of  the  building  occupied  by  the  Girls'  Charity  School  at  Santurce,  I  am  directed 
by  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  to  ask  that  the  following-named  repairs  be 
authorized  and  executed: 

First.  Convert  the  present  chapel  into  an  upper  and  lower  dormitory,  thus 
affording  space  for  sixty  additional  inmates. 

Second.  Complete  the  work  on  the  rear  extension,  including  upper  gallery,  and 
improve  approaches  to  messroom  from  main  floor.  This  in  addition  to  conven- 
iences will  increase  the  accommodation  by  an  additional  forty. 

Third.  Install  shower  baths. 

Fourth.  Introduce  modern  plumbing,  water-closets,  and  wash  basins. 

If  it  is  impracticable  to  introduce  modern  water-closets,  it  seems  advisable  to  con- 
struct a  latrine  on  the  lines  of  that  at  the  boys'  school,  and  remove  the  hopper 
closets  or  most  of  them  now  in  use.  A  proper  lavatory  on  each  floor  is  very  desir- 
able. The  proposition  to  place  the  infirmary  in  the  second  story  of  the  extension 
can  not  fail  of  approval,  as  by  this  plan  the  sick  will  be  effectually  separated  from 
the  well.  It  is  suggested  that  the  entire  second  floor  be  devoted  to  this  purpose, 
dividing  it  by  suitable  partitions  into  ward,  lavatory,  nurse  room,  dispensary, 
operating  room,  linen  closet,  and  isolation  ward. 

If  all  of  the  above  can  not  be  done,  it  is  asked  that  as  much  as  possible  be  under- 
taken, and  in  the  order  named. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major,  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

[First  indorsement,] 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  February  20, 1900. 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  president  of  the  board  of  charities,  with  the  infor- 
mation that  the  military  governor  directed  that  an  estimate  be  prepared  of  the 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   331 

cost  of  the  work  of  converting  the  chapel  into  dormitories  and  the  completion  of 
the  rear  wing;  but  he  is  unable  to  consider  now  the  proposal  to  reconstruct  and 
rearrange  the  plumbing  in  the  seminary,  on  account  of  the  lack  of  means  for  this 
purpose.  Such  minor  repairs  of  the  plumbing  and  water  fixtures  as  may  be  neces- 
sary in  order  to  preserve  the  status  quo  will  be  attended  to.  The  sanitary  arrange- 
ments in  this  building  are  not  satisfactory,  but  they  have  sufficed  without  reported 
detriment  to  the  health  of  the  occupants,  and  must  so  continue  to  be  used  until 
means  are  available  for  extensive  improvements. 
By  direction  of  the  military  governor: 

J.  S.  BATTLE,  Aid-de-Camp. 

On  January  20  Mr.  Benjamin  Del  Valle  received  his  appointment 
as  acting  superintendent  of  the  boys'  school  and  at  once  assumed  his 
duties,  and  a  few  days  later  20  boys  were  transferred.  On  February 
21  the  remainder  were  taken  to  their  new  home. '  On  February  17  the 
board  decided  that  until  its  regulations  were  published  no  more  ad- 
missions would  be  made  to  either  school,  and  that  under  no  circum- 
stances would  children  thereafter  be  admitted  from  the  municipality 
of  San  Juan  until  all  other  cities  had  either  their  proportionate  repre- 
sentation or  all  their  applications  for  admissions  granted.  At  that 
time  three- fourths  of  the  inmates  were  residents  of  the  capital. 

On  March  8  the  final  approval  of  the  regulations  as  published  was 
made  and  a  much-needed  basis  provided  for  the  guidance  of  the  offi- 
cials of  the  institution.  An  important  factor  in  the  new  scheme  of 
management  was  the  introduction  of  a  military  organization  into  this 
school.  For  this  a  commandant  was  required,  and  on  January  26  the 
adjutant-general  was  requested  to  detail  an  infantry  sergeant  to  fill 
this  important  position. 

Apparently  none  was  available,  and  a  private  of  the  Hospital  Corps 
was  detailed  to  assume  this  charge.  The  results  of  the  innovation 
have  been  all  that  could  have  been  expected.  A  certain  amount  of 
esprit  de  corps  has  been  instilled,  which  is  absolutely  invaluable.  The 
boys  have  been  taught  the  entire  " setting-up"  exercise  and  many  of 
the  simpler  evolutions.  The  routine  of  the  day's  work  and  recreation 
is  governed  by  bugle  calls. 

On  February  20  the  staff  of  officials  was  increased  by  the  accept- 
ance by  Dr.  Arnau  of  the  position  of  visiting  physician  for  both 
schools.  As  required  by  the  regulations,  Dr.  Arnau  submitted  such 
incidental  reports  on  his  inspection  as  he  considered  necessary,  and 
one  comprehensive  monthly  report  covering  the  sanitary  state  of  the 
whole  institution.  Practically  the  chief  objectionable  sanitary  fea- 
ture was  that  caused  by  the  lack  of  modern  closets,  lavatories,  etc. 

The  dry-earth  method,  with  daily  removal,  is  in  use,  and  for  the  pur- 
pose a  building  is  provided  at  some  distance  from  the  school.  But 
means  must  needs  be  provided  inside  the  building  for  the  use  of  the 
patients,  and  of  the  boys  at  night,  and  these  caused  most  reasonable 
objection. 

Dr.  Arnau's  report  thereon  was  as  follows: 

APRIL  10,  1900. 
The  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES,  Porto  Rico. 

SIRS:  I  respectfully  beg  to  inform  you  that  the  closets  used  by  the  boys  on  the 
second  floor  of  this  building  are  in  a  deplorable  state.  The  floor  is  of  wood,  and 
is  so  soaked  by  the  incessant  emptying  of  the  different  vessels  of  the  establish- 
ment that  the  boys  are  unable  to  approach  the  closets  because  of  their  sanitary 
condition,  and  to  do  away  with  the  bad  odors  so  near  the  infirmary;  lor  this  reason 
I  beg  to  propose  that  new  ones  be  installed,  with  proper  floors,  abundance  of 
water,  and  receivers  that  can  be  easily  cleaned. 

Respectfully,  DR.  R.  ARNAU. 


332   KEPOET  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

Endeavors  have  been  made  to  secure  installation  of  these  closets 
without  result.  On  March  22  a  letter  asking  for  these  improvements 
was  forwarded  to  the  military  governor,  approved  by  the  board.  The 
following  reply  thereto  was  received: 

APRIL  10,  1900. 
The  PRESIDENT  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES. 

SIR:  Referring  to  the  request  for  repairs  and  improvements  at  Boys'  Charity 
School,  I  am  directed  by  the  military  governor  to  say  that  there  are  no  means 
available  to  make  the  repairs,  alterations,  and  additions  to  the  boys'  school,  San- 
turce,  as  recommended  by  the  board  of  charities,  per  indorsement  dated  the  22d 
ultimo. 

Very  respectfully,  J.  S.  BATTLE,  Aide-de-Camp. 

The  monthly  inspection  reports  by  the  attending  ph3Tsician  for 
March  was  as  follows': 

ORPHAN  ASYLUM  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 
The  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico. 

SIRS:  In  accordance  with  regulations  for  orphan  asylum,  I  have  the  honor  to 
remit  my  first  sanitary  report: 

BOYS   DEPARTMENT. 

My  letters  addressed  to  the  board  at  different  dates  during  the  month  of  March 
express  my  views  with  regard  to  the  following  details:  Quantity  and  quality  of 
the  food,  especially  of  the  meat. 

The  need  of  a  supply  of  socks  for  the  boys,  without  which  they  are  unable  to 
use  the  shoes  provided  for  them.  The  desirability  of  appointing  a  dentist  to  exam- 
ine the  boys'  teeth,  as  these  are  in  a  deplorable  state.  And  above  all  the  very  poor 
sanitary  condition  of  the  closets  on  the  upper  floors  of  the  buildings. 

I  now  beg  to  draw  the  board's  attention  to  the  following  remarks: 

The  supply  of  water,  although  sufficient  to  meet  the  ordinary  demands  of  the 
establishment,  and  the  fact  of  there  only  being  two  dripping  stones  for  filtering  the 
drinking  water,  is  a  great  defect  in  the  sanitary  arrangements,  so  I  respectfully 
advise  that  a  filter  similar  to  that  in  use  in  the  lunatic  asylum  be  provided,  as  the 
filtered  water  is  not  sufficient. 

The  system  of  cleaning  out  the  closets  situated  on  the  ground  floor  on  the  west 
side  is  already  well  known  to  the  board,  and  though  not  of  the  best,  it  at  least  ful- 
fills its  requirements;  but  the  same  can  not  be  said  of  the  closets  on  the  upper 
floors,  those  being  in  a  very  uncleanly  state. 

This  I  mentioned  in  my  letters  to  the  board,  stating  at  the  same  time  the  only 
method  that  could  be  applied. 

With  regard  to  cleanliness  and  ventilation  of  the  rooms,  I  can  only  say  they  are 
properly  attended  to. 

The  disorganized  state  of  the  attendance  at  the  asylum  exposes  defects  now 
existing  in  the  infirmary  department.  An  operating  table  is  indispensable;  one 
like  that  in  use  at  the  lunatic  asylum  would  meet  the  requirements. 

There  are  numbers  of  cases  of  contusions,  whitlows,  and  ulcers  which  have  to 
be  attended  to,  and  operations  are  difficult  without  the  necessaries  for  operating. 

The  dispensary  is  in  a  very  defective  state,  so  much  so  that  nearly  all  the  pre- 
scriptions have  to  be  made  at  a  druggist's,  a  very  costly  proceeding  although  a 
rebate  in  the  price  is  made.  This  want  could  be  remedied  by  thoroughly  provid- 
ing the  dispensary  with  the  necessary  drugs,  as  per  list  sent  by  me  to  the  board 
when  I  first  took  charge,  and  with  some  capable  person  to  make  up  the  prescrip- 
tions and  at  the  same  time  aid  the  doctor  in  his  work  if  the  latter  thinks  fit.  A 
functionary  similar  to  the  one  now  at  the  lunatic  asylum  is  what  is  required,  as 
the  sisters  of  charity,  though  excellent  nurses,  have  neither  the  sufficient  knowl- 
edge to  work  up  the  prescriptions  nor  can  they  assist  the  doctor  in  his  operations. 
The  attendance  in  the  infirmary  should  be  as  efficient  as  that  found  in  any  modern 
hospital,  otherwise  serious  defects  may  arise,  which  the  doctor,  however  competent, 
is  unable  to  remedy. 

A  general  state  of  anaemia,  so  common  in  this  country,  is  very  prevalent  among 
the  boys,  and  to  combat  this  evil  I  respectfully  beg  to  state  that  good  nourishment 
and  pure  filtered  water  are  indispensable. 

During  the  month  of  March  there  has  been  a  slight  attack  of  la  grippe,  which  has 
since  disappeared,  and  there  has  also  been  several  cases  of  sore  feet  among  the 
boys,  caused  by  the  want  of  stockings. 

Dr.  R.  ARNAU. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        333 

APRIL  10,  1900. 
The  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico. 

SIRS:  With  regard  to  food  and  water  and  also  a  generel  state  of  anaemia,  I  beg  to 
apply  the  same  remarks  to  the  girls'  department  as  I  made  with  reference  to  the 
boys'  with  the  only  addition  that  amongst  the  girls  there  are  more  cases  of  scrofula 
than  among  the  boys,  and  fewer  cases  of  sore  feet. 

The  principal  ailment  in  the  infirmary  during  the  month  has  been  caused  by 
gastro-intestinal  troubles,  but  without  any  serious  results. 

I  beg  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  board  to  the  great  benefit  sea  bathing  is,  and 
much  recommended  for  the  above  ailments  at  this  time  of  the  year.  A  place 
called  the  Condado,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  asylum,  I  would  recommend  as 
being  suitable  for  the  girls  to  bathe  in,  as  the  water  is  purer  and  the  air  freer  from 
malaria  in  that  neighborhood  than  near  the  buildings.  The  girls  could  be  con- 
veyed in  two  boats  by  two  attendants  of  the  establishment,  this  mode  of  commu- 
nication being  quicker  and  better  than  going  around  by  land. 

In  closing  this  report  I  beg  to  also  draw  your  immediate  attention  to  the  state  of 
the  closets  in  this  establisment,  the  greater  number  of  which  are  closed  as  unserv- 
iceable. 

Respectfully,  Dr.  R.  ARNAU. 

Instruction  was  begun  at  once  in  both  schools  under  the  direction 
of  the  teacher  who  had  been  in  charge  at  the  Beneficencia. 

In  order  to  secure  the  benefit  of  instruction  to  both  institutions 
from  the  limited  number  of  teachers,  classes  were  held  in  the  morn- 
ing at  the  girls'  school  and  in  the  afternoon  at  the  boj^s'.  The  teach- 
ing force  consisted  of  the  head  teacher,  a  Porto  Rican  teacher  of 
writing,  one  of  geography  and  grammar,  a  professor  of  English,  an 
American  teacher  of  arithmetic,  and  an  American  kindergarten 
teacher.  At  first  there  was  almost  an  entire  absence  of  material, 
which  somewhat  delayed  the  work.  The  scholastic  instruction  has 
not  been  satisfactory. 

There  has  been  a  continued  state  of  disorganization  and  lack  of 
discipline  in  this  department,  and  no  progress  has  been  apparent. 

It  is  difficult  to  state  definitely  the  cause  for  this.  In  fact  there 
were  many  such.  There  was  a  lack  of  power*  of  organization  and 
executive  ability  in  those  in  immediate  control  of  the  schools,  and  in 
conjunction  with  a  growing  disregard  on  the  part  of  the  boys  for  all 
authority,  made  satisfactory  work  impossible. 

This  difficulty  in  controlling  the  boys  became  a  serious  problem. 
They  had  always  been  Jield  under  such  strict  rule  in  their  former 
home,  without  any  freedom  either  of  thought  or  action,  that  upon 
being  given  practically  unlimited  bounds  at  Santurce,  with  an  effort 
to  secure  discipline  by  moral  means,  the  reaction  came  with  force.  A 
Porto  Rican  boy  is  much  older  than  his  age  indicates.  His  natural 
reasoning  power  is  disproportionate  to  his  age,  and  his  ingenuity  is 
frequently  that  of  an  adult.  When  enlisted  on  the  side  of  malicious 
mischief,  their  control  becomes  a  matter  for  serious  consideration. 
Whatever  the  cause,  the  fact  remains  that  lack  of  discipline  was  a 
growing  evil  from  the  day  of  removal.  This  was  forcibly  brought 
to  the  attention  of  the  board  when,  in  the  middle  of  March,  complaint 
was  made  that  cruelty  was  practiced  in  the  exercise  of  punishment  by 
the  officials.  An  investigation  was  ordered  which  exonerated  those 
in  authority.  The  report  of  the  committee  resulted  in  the  adoption 
of  a  definitely  graded  and  rational  method  of  punishment. 

But  the  schooling  remained  entirely  deficient.  This  was  perhaps 
unavoidable  in  part,  as  the  whole  process  was  in  an  experimental 
stage. .  A  difficult  question  to  satisfactorily  solve  was  that  of  grading. 
It  seems  that  this  had  not  been  attempted  under  the  previous  regime, 
for  boys  of  advanced  age,  who  had  been  inmates  for  years,  showed  no 
results  of  instruction,  while  some  of  the  younger  inmates  were  much 


334       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

further  advanced.  As  a  temporary  measure  age  was  made  the  basis 
for  the  assignment  of  the  pupils,  and  the  grading  of  the  scholars  as 
well  as  the  disposition  of  the  teachers  was  left  to  the  discretion  of 
the  superintendent  of  instruction.  His  arrangements  had  not  resulted 
satisfactorily  at  the  time  of  the  transfer  of  the  schools  to  the  civil 
government,  and  the  subject  was  turned  over  to  the  new  board  in  an 
embryonic  stage. 

Not  so  with  the  entire  economic  management.  From  a  condition 
of  laxit}7  and  absence  of  personal  accountability  in  the  internal  econ- 
omy the  institutions  have  been  brought  to  a  standard  of  business 
conduct  which,  lay  a  system  of  receipts,  reports,  etc.,  has  resulted 
most  satisfactorily. 

On  March  29  Mr.  Del  Valle's  resignation  as  superintendent  of  the 
boys'  school  was  presented  to  the  board.  Action  was  deferred  to 
the  31st,  when  it  was  accepted,  and  on  April  7  Senor  Ramon  Vilar 
was  appointed  his  successor.  He  took  over  his  duties  at  once. 

Upon  the  removal  of  the  charity  schools  from  the  beneficencia 
building  it  was  decided  to  increase  the  capacity  of  the  insane  asylum- 
by  so  altering  the  portion  formerly  occupied  b}7  the  girls  as  to  adapt 
it  to  the  use  of  the  female  insane.  In  order  to  accommodate  all  whose 
applications  were  on  file  this  improvement  was  absolutely  necessary. 

The  following  committee  report  covering  these  alterations  was  for- 
warded to  the  military  governor  March  30,  1900,  with  the  board's  rec- 
ommendation that  the  work  be  performed  as  soon  as  possible : 

In  order  to  fit  up  for  the  insane  asylum  purposes  the  wing  of  the  beneficencia 
which  was  formerly  occupied  by  the  orphan  girls,  and  thus  to  enable  the  institu- 
tion to  take  in  and  to  properly  treat  all  the  insane  of  the  island,  which  can  not  be 
done  now  in  the  old  asylum  building  for  the  lack  of  space,  the  following  work  is 
necessary: 

1.  The  closing  up  and  filling  in  of  all  the  old  drains  and  sewers  which  now  con- 
nect with  the  inhabited  part  of  the  building  and  with  that  part  which  is  to  be 
fitted  up  for  the  reception  of  tho  insane. 

2.  The  substitution  of'  a  new  drainage  system  with  sanitary  plumbing  for  the 
old  one. 

3.  The  replacing  of  the  old  washtubs  in  the  laundry  by  new  ones  having  proper 
drains  and  sewer  connection. 

4.  The  replacing  of  the  present  sinks  in  the  kitchen  by  new  ones  with  proper 
sewer  connection. 

5.  A  construction  of  12  cells  for  the  insane  in  the  present  chapel  and  6  in  base- 
ment underneath  the  chapel,  having  asphalt  floors  and  wooden  partitions.    The 
floors  in  each  cell  to  be  graded  to  a  cesspool  which  runs  into  a  5-inch  drainpipe 
and  connects  with  the  sewer. 

6.  The  furnishing  and  putting  in  of  iron  water-closets  with  automatic  flushing 
attachments  at  the  site  of  the  old  latrines  having  six  seats,  floor  to  be  cemented 
and  to  be  provided  with  a  drain. 

7.  The  furnishing  and  putting  in  place  in  the  present  bathroom  6  wash  basins. 
6  showers,  1  bath  tub,  similar  to  the  corresponding  fixtures  in  the  new  annex  of 
the  old  asylum  building,  floor  to  be  cemented  and  to  be  provided  with  a  drain. 
All  drains  to  connect  with  sewer. 

8.  The  furnishing  and  putting  in  place  of  a  water-closet  and   a  sink  in  the 
infirmary. 

9.  The  furnishing  and  putting  in  place  and  connecting  with  sewer  of  a  water- 
closet,  bath  tub,  2  wash  basins  on  second  floor,  replacing  the  old  latrine,  and  old 
cement  tub.     Floor  to  be  cemented  and  provided  with  a  drain. 

10.  The  furnishing  and  putting  in  place  one  water-closet,  a  wash  basin,  a  bath 
tub,  and  shower  for  the  use  of  the  assistant  physician.    Cement  floor  and  drain. 

11.  A  courtyard  drain  with  sewer  connection. 

12.  Water  connection  to  all  cells,  water-closets,  bath  tubs;  sinks,  courts. 

13.  Four  pieces  of  rubber  hose  10  feet  long,  with  screw  attachments  for  fitting 
water  pipes  for  cells  with  nozzles. 

14.  Two  pieces  of  rubber  hose  about  lOO.-feet  long  for  use  in  cleaning  courtyard. 


KEPOET    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        335 


The  cost  of  this  would  have  been  about  $8,600.  The  governor's 
indorsement  thereon  was,  "It  is  impracticable  to  allot  this  money  at 
present. " 

Nevertheless  the  female  insane  were  transferred  to  the  portion  pre- 
viously occupied  by  the  girls  after  some  minor  repairs  had  been  made. 
This  change  made  it  possible  to  admit  all  the  island's  insane. 

The  adoption  of  the  institutional  regulations  was  as  great  a  neces- 
sity for  this  asylum  as  it  was  for  the  schools.  And  it  was  then  only 
that  the  asylum  began  its  transition  from  the  old  to  the  new,  and  the 
process  was  well  on  the  way  on  May  1,  when  the  board  ceased  to 
exist. 

The  statistics  of  the  insane  for  the  months  in  which  this  board  con- 
trolled the  asylum  are  herewith  attached. 

Insane  asylum  statistics,  from  August,  1899,  to  April,  1900. 


August. 

September. 

Male. 

Female. 

Male. 

Female. 

| 

a 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

I 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

i 
s 

Q 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

fd 

0) 

Q 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

q 

3 

q 

3 
1 
6 

4 

1 

4 

Monomania 

1 

q 

1 

5 

8 

4 

4 

Dementia 

17 
3 

2 

?3 

i 

17 
8 

1 

21 

3 

i 

3 

Suicidal  mania 

2 

2 

Mania 

i 

5 

1 

14 

4 

1 

13 

1 

1 

Melancholia 

3 

2 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

5 

9 

5 

3 
5 

Erotomania 

1 

Nymphomania        ..   .  

8 

Lypemania 

1 

fi 

TJndiagnosed 

1 

2 

3 

October. 

November. 

Male. 

Female. 

Male.                  Female. 

i 

5 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

i 

Discharged. 

I 
1 

Remaining. 

| 

Discharged. 

4^ 

i 
3 

Remaining. 

1 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

Paresis          

.1 

1 

9 

4 

3 

1 

1 

9 
4 

1 

3 
1 

6 

Imbecility 

1 

Monomania 

8 

6 

8 

Homicidal  mania 

4 

4 

Dementia 

1 

16 
9, 

2 

21 
8 

1 

15 

19 
3 

Idiocy 

i 

1 

Snip/Ida!  mania   - 

2 

1 

2 

Mania 

3 

6 
1 

15 

2 

1 

q 

15 

Kleptomania  

1 

2 

9 

9 

T 

2 

1 
4 
1 
3 
fi 
2 

Dipsomania 

1 

* 

1 

Epilepsia 

1 

2 

1 

*j 

1 

1 

1 

.... 

Erotomania 

1 

"N"  V  m  ph  rym  Rtii  a 

3 

Tjypfirnfvnifl. 

5 

1 

Undiagnosed 

9, 

4 

i 

336   KEPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

Insane  asylum  statistics,  from  August,  1899,  to  April,  1900 — Continued. 


December.                                          January. 

Male. 

Female. 

Male. 

Female. 

d 

1 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

•d 

1 

d 
p 

3 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

i 

5 

1 
Q 

1 
1 

Remaining. 

i 
s 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

1 

9 
4 

2 
1 
H 

.  i 

10 

2 

1 
6 

Imbecility 

..... 

4 

8 

8 
4 

i 

\ 

i 

Dementia 

1 

1 
1 

14 
1 
1 

. 

2 

1') 

H 

a 

i 

17 
3 

Idiocy 

3 

2 

Sucidal  mania 

1 

2 

6 
1 

16 

8 
1 

i 

Iti 

Kleptomania 

1 

Melancholia 

•1 

g 

1 

R 

1 
1 
4 
1 
3 
4 
3 

1 

1 

1 

Epilepsia                   .  . 

1 

1 

3 
1 

1 

i 

Erotomania 

Nymphoinania 

3 

Lypemania  .. 

4 

1 

2 

1 

1 

^ 

2 

i 

1 

16 

February. 

March. 

Male. 

Female. 

Male. 

Female. 

i 

s 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

| 

Q 

1 
5 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

! 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

1 

3 

1 

i 

Discharged. 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

Paresis              

q 

9 

q 

2 

1 
4 

Imbecility 

4 

1 
5 

1 

•4 

Monomania 

8 

1 

8 

S 

^ 

Dementia          .          ...... 

i 

1 

.... 

15 
3 
8 

2 

"(l 

18 

2 

18 
5 

Idiocy 

5 

4 

Suicidal  mania  

1 
2 

2 
17 
? 

Mania                   

1 

1 

15 

9, 

i 

§8 

1 

24 

Kleptomania 

Melancholia 

ft 

1 

8 

1 
1 

3 
1 
3 
3 

2 

Dipsomania  

i 

1 

1 

Epilepsia 

1 

5 

1 

3 

1 

a 

Erotomania 

1 

Nvmphomania 

•j 

Lypemania  ..  ....  .     .  . 

1 

4 

4 

g 

2 

9 

3 

4 

2 

i 

April. 

Total. 

Male. 

Female. 

Male. 

Female. 

i 

5 

1 

5 

Admitted. 
o  Remaining. 

! 

•d 

•© 

Admitted. 

Remaining. 

i 

Under  treat- 
ment. 

Died. 

Under  treat- 
ment. 

Paresis 

2 

1 
4 

i 

3 

12 
5 

9 
5 
19 
8 
4 

1 

3 

1 
6 

Imbecility 

i 

3 

Monomania  .  

8 

1 

Homicidal  mania  ...... 

3 

2 
4 
4 

Dementia 

U 

5 

2 

20 
5 

12 

30 
5 

Idiocy 

^ 

Suicidal  mania... 

3 

Mania                    .    .         .      . 

2 

U 

) 

> 

1 

23 

5 

25 
2 

3          28 

Kleptomania 

j. 

Melancholia 

3 

1 

4 

2 
1 
6 

1 
3 
7 
5 

Dipsomania 

1 
2 
1 

1 
2 

1 
8 

..... 

Epilepsia        .  ...    ...  .  

1 

7 

Erotomania 

Nymphomania 

3 

3 

4      7 

1 

4 



11 



REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        337 


Admissions  and  discharges,  charity  schools,  August,  1899,  to  April,  1900. 


18 

99. 

19 

00. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

Boys: 

Admissions 

3 

1 

5 

0 

2 

23 

6 

0 

1 

Discharges  

3 

10 

9 

11 

7 

3 

5 

17 

34 

Deaths    

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

Remaininar  .  . 

327 

227 

218 

214 

203 

198 

218 

219 

202 

168 

Girls: 
Admissions 

2 

3 

3 

4 

6 

8 

3 

o 

o 

Discharges  

1 

7 

8 

1 

2 

1 

0 

1 

5 

•Deaths 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

o 

1 

Remaining  .  . 

154 

155 

151 

146 

149 

153 

160 

163 

162 

156 

A  few  words  on  the  relation  of  the  sisterhood  to  these  public  insti- 
tutions may  not  be  inappropriate. 

As  above  noted,  six  sisters  were  originally  brought  from  Spain  in 
1863,  under  contract,  for  the  distinct  purpose  of  giving  their  services 
to  the  beneficencia.  As  may  be  observed,  their  contract  specifically 
stated  that  the  rules  of  their  order  would  continue  to  be  their  govern- 
ing force  in  all  matters,  and  that  no  civil  decisions  contrary  thereto 
would  in  any  way  affect  them  individually  or  as  a  body.  This  was 
perfectly  feasible  under  the  then  existing  form  of  government,  a  gov- 
ernment in  which  the  religion  of  the  sisters,  as  of  all  citizens,  was  the 
State  religion.  This  system  itself  was  not  compatible  with  the  spirit 
of  those  who  now  had  control  of  the  asylum.  Nevertheless  the  exist- 
ing conditions  were  such  as  to  demand  its  continuance.  But  certain 
modifications  were  deemed  advisable.  These,  however,  were  not  on 
religious  grounds,  but  for  the  purpose  of  placing  the  management  on 
a  more  rational  and  businesslike  basis. 

It  was  early  discovered  that  the  order  was  simpty  in  the  institutions, 
without  being  of  them.  It  was  apparently  an  example  of  individuals 
endeavoring  to  serve  two  masters,  although  as  a  matter  of  fact  the 
nuns  paid  no  attention  to  the  civil  authority,  being  governed  in  all 
matters  by  decisions  from  an  entirely  exterior  source — the  delegate  of 
their  order  in  Porto  Rico.  This  naturally  caused  more  or  less  con- 
flict, for  the  board  of  charities  proposed  to  control  the  institution, 
both  as  regards  the  inmates  and  the  employees.  To  exemplify  the 
result  of  the  external  control  it  is  sufficient  to  state  that  the  individual 
nuns  were  being  constantly  transferred  from  one  department  to  another 
and  from  one  institution  to  another  without  the  knowledge  of  either 
the  superintendent  or  the  board.  That  the  board's  employees  should 
be  thus  disposed  of  was  incongruous.  The  fact  that  the  sisters  had 
been  in  the  ascendency  for  many  years,  although  with  undoubted 
advantage  to  the  asylums,  called  for  reform. 

The  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico,  being  largely  composed  of 
military  officers,  realized  that  its  existence  was  but  a  matter  of  a  few 
months,  when,  on  the  inauguration  of  a  civil  government,  it  would 
turn  over  its  functions  to  a  permanent  organization.  Under  these 
circumstances  its  actions  were  always  tempered  with  the  idea  of  merely 
roughly  shaping  the  conduct  of  its  asylums  and  schools  and  placing 
them  in  a  fair  way  to  receive  the  innovations  which  would  eventually 
be  instituted  by  its  successors.  With  this  end  in  view  it  endeavored 
to  conduct  the  institutions  to  a  higher  level  or  organization  and  to 


19709—01- 


-22 


338   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 

place  them  on  a  firm  working  foundation,  leaving  where  possible  the 
more  radical  changes  to  those  whose  terms  of  office  would  warrant 
their  taking  them  under  consideration. 

For  these  reasons  the  question  of  settling  finally  the  basis  on  which  the 
sisterhood  could  work  in  conjunction  with  the  board  was  postponed, 
although  it  will  be  seen  that  the  regulations  recently  adopted  for  the 
government  of  the  schools  and  hospitals  clearly  state  its  ideas  thereon. 

The  board  simply  endeavored  to  guide  the  institutional  manage- 
ment out  of  the  bog  of  disorganization  and  faulty  regulation  toward 
a  highroad  smoothly  paved  with  modern  ideas,  upon  which  it  could 
travel  successfully  and  unfalteringly. 

It  feels  that  in  its  various  steps  in  relation  to  the  schools  it  has 
steadily  gone  forward  in  the  accomplishment  of  this  object.  It  has 
provided  new  nomes,  modern  books,  and  a  basis  for  an  excellent  mili- 
tary organization ;  it  has  inaugurated  a  satisfactory  system  of  internal 
and  external  economical  management,  and  by  its  regulations  furnished 
a  firm  foundation  upon  which  structural  improvement  may  hereafter 
make  its  base.  It  would  have  done  even  better  if  competent  teachers 
could  have  been  obtained. 

LEPER  HOSPITAL. 

It  is  unknown  when  leprosy  first  gained  an  entrance  into  Porto  Rico. 
It  has  probably  existed  here  from  the  early  times  of  the  African  slave 
trade.  It  was  always  looked  upon  with  indifference,  until  about 
thirty  years  ago,  when  the  subject  seems  to  have  been  considered  of 
enough  importance  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  authorities.  In 
1870  the  provincial  diputacion  recommended  the  establishment  of  a 
leper  hospital.  The  government  failed  to  approve,  on  the  grounds  that 
funds  were  not  available.  The  importance  of  segregation  was  clearly 
understood  by  the  medical  profession,  and  as  a  temporary  measure  it 
endeavored  to  secure  the  passage  of  an  order  requiring  each  munici- 
pality to  isolate  and  care  for  its  own  cases.  But,  because  of  the 
absence  of  official  support,  this  also  was  unsuccessful.  Ten  years 
later  a  second  attempt  in  this  direction  was  made,  and  with  more 
favorable  results.  In  1880  the  municipality  of  San  Juan  built  a  hos- 
pital for  lepers  on  the  site  of  the  present  one  in  the  rear  of  the  jail. 
It  was  a  municipal  institution,  and  harbored,  on  completion,  six 
unfortunates  collected  within  the  city.  It  was  directly  under  the 
control  of  the  city  council,  which  provided  each  inmate  with  6  pesos 
monthly  for  his  support.  This  was  a  step  in  the  right  direction,  but 
an  extremely  short  one.  The  patients  were  simply  provided  with  a 
home.  No  restrictions  were  apparently  placed  upon  their  actions. 
Their  intercourse  was  unrestrained,  and  for  the  purpose  of  supplying 
themselves  with  food,  which  they  effected  with  the  6  pesos  contrib- 
uted by  the  municipality,  they  wandered  through  the  city's  markets 
and  stores  at  will.  It  is  difficult  to  understand  the  principles  upon 
which  such  an  institution  was  based. 

No  other  municipality  took  steps  to  isolate  its  lepers.  During  the 
year  1895  or  1896  the  diputacion  provincial  renewed  its  attempt  to 
establish  an  insular  asylum  upon  a  modern  basis.  It  appointed  a 
committee  to  investigate  the  subject  and  recommend  a  suitable 
location.  The  committee  selected  a  site  about  10  miles  east  of  San 
Juan  on  the  north  coast,  and  recommended  its  purchase.  Owing  to 
the  fact  that  complications  arose  when  the  question  of  the  transfer  of 
the  property  was  broached,  and  probably  to  the  insufficient  support 


PORTO  RICAN    LEPERS. 


REPOKT    OF    THE    BOARD  .OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        339 

of  the  government,  the  matter  was  pursued  no  further.  In  passing 
it  may  be  said  that  the  diputacioii  was  but  an  advisory  body,  whose 
duties  ended  with  investigations  and  recommendations,  or  carrying 
out  specific  instructions  of  the  government.  The  initiative  was  con- 
sequently not  frequently  taken,  as  actual  execution  depended  upon 
other  authority. 

The  status  of  the  San  Juan  asylum  was  maintained  until  February, 
1899.  No  efforts  were  made  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  the  institu- 
tion. On  the  contrary,  from  inattention  the  building  became  dilapi- 
dated, and  the  number  of  inmates  was  reduced  to  2.  In  February, 
1899,  General  Henry  instituted  a  board  of  health  for  San  Juan,  con- 
stituted as  follows:  Captain  Davison,  United  States  Army,  president; 
Surgeon  Glennan,  United  States  Marine-Hospital  Service  (advisory 
member);  Dr.  Del  Valle;  Dr.  Nater,  health  officer  and  secretary. 

To  this  board  was  transferred  what  remained  of  the  leper  asylum. 
One  hundred  dollars  was  secured  from  the  military  government  and 
the  building  placed  in  repair.  It  was  made  an  insular  institution. 
A  circular  letter  was  sent  to  each  municipality  announcing  the  change, 
and  informing  it  that  the  board  was  ready  to  take  care  of  the  island's 
lepers.  This  elicited  reports  of  several  cases,  but  no  patients  were 
sent  at  that  time. 

In  May  a  general  search  for  cases  of  leprosy  was  conducted  in  San 
Juan.  This  resulted  in  the  segregation  of  11  lepers.  During  the  same 
month  1  leper  was  forwarded  from  Ponce.  With  the  2  remaining  a 
total  of  14  cases  was  being  cared  for  on  the  1st  of  June,  1899.  A  physi- 
cian was  appointed;  a  guard  and  a  cook  were  engaged;  necessary 
supply  of  medicines  and  subsistence  stores  was  purchased,  and  the 
inmates  were  thereafter  strictly  isolated.  No  admittances  or  deaths 
occurred  during  June.  On  July  1  the  asylum  was  transferred  to  the 
.superior  board  of  health.  During  this  month  1  case  was  admitted. 
This  board  at  once  realized  the  necessity  for  providing  something 
more  than  a  small  frame  building  for  the  accommodation  of  these 
people.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  submit  recommendations  as 
to  a  suitable  locality  for  the  establishment  of  a  colony.  The  report 
of  the  committee  of  the  board  of  health  was  as  follows : 

JULY  17,  1899. 

GENTLEMEN:  In  accordance  with  the  resolution  of  the  superior  board  of  health, 
adopted  July  9, 1899,  "  that  a  committee  of  one  be  appointed  to  make  report  on  the 
present  condition  of  the  leper  asylum,  what  improvements  are  necessary,"  etc., 
by  the  appointment  of  the  chairman  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following 
report: 

During  the  early  part  of  the  past  winter,  when  a  house-to-house  inspection  of 
San  Juan  was  made  by  the  local  military  board  of  health,  of  which  I  am  an  advisory 
member,  a  number  of  cases  of  leprosy  was  discovered  concealed  in  different  parts 
of  the  city  in  crowded  tenements  and,  in  some  instances  which  I  personally  observed, 
where  laundering  and  other  work  was  taken  in  from  American  residents. 

It  was  also  ascertained  that  before  the  war  a  number  of  these  unfortunates  were 
collected  in  a  rough  frame  building  located  immediately  in  rear  of  the  jail,  within 
the  city  limits,  near  a  number  of  inhabited  cottages,  and  adjoining  low  marsh 
lands. 

As  a  pressing  temporary  measure  these  cases  were  collected  and  returned  to  this 
crude  asylum  until  better  isolation  and  quarters  could  be  obtained.  These  prole- 
taires  were  necessarily  a  public  charge;  rations  were  issued  to  them,  and  a  keeper 
appointed  to  reside  at  and  oversee  the  place.  There  are  now  14  cases  collected  in 
this  building— 8  males  and  6  females. 

A  few  cases  have  been  transferred  here  from  Ponce,  and  the  estimate  is  that 
there  are  about  50  cases  upon  the  island. 

It  may  be  stated  briefly  that  leprosy  occurs  at  all  ages,  that  it  is  a  bacterial  dis- 
ease, and  that  it  is  contagious  by  inoculation,  and  that  bad  food,  constant  fish 
diet,  and  bad  surroundings  predispose  to  the  disease. 


340       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

The  geographical  distribution  of  leprosy  is  extensive.  It  is  found  in  the  West 
Indies,  the  islands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  in  Madeira,  South  America,  Mexico, 
Louisiana.  California,  British  Columbia,  Minnesota,  and  New  Brunswick,  where 
a  large  colony  exists. 

Without  discussing  whether  leprosy  is  a  contagious  or  infectious  disease,  or  its 
method  of  propagation,  it  is  declared  a  quarantinable  disease  by  the  quarantine 
laws  and  regulations  of  the  United  States;  also  careful  observation  shows  its 
spread  in  communities  where  the  leper  is  not  isolated. 

In  the  Sandwich  Islands- it  was  noticed  among  the  natives  in  1859  and  traced 
back  to  1848.  It  spread  rapidly,  and  in  1865  there  were  230  known  lepers  in  a  pop- 
ulation of  67,000.  By  1891  the  native  population  diminished  to  44,232.  Of  these, 
1,5CO  were  lepers,  or  1  to  every  30  of  the  population. 

In  New  Caledonia  it  was  unknown  until  1865.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  intro- 
duced by  a  Chinaman  who  was  well  known.  Its  rapid  diffusion  throughout  the 
island  has  been  traced  step  by  step,  and  in  1888  the  lepers  numbered  4,000. 
(Mason,  Tropical  Diseases,  1898. ) 

Leprosy  never  makes  its  appearance  unless  introduced  by  a  leper,  and  the  leper 
must  be  regarded  as  a  source  of  danger  to  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 
Facts  are  stubborn  things,  and  the  only  way  to  suppress  the  disease  is  by  thorough 
isolation. 

The  present  location  of  the  leper  hospital,  in  a  single  rough  building  in  the  rear 
of  the  jail  and  within  the  city  limits,  is  totally  unfit  for  the  purpose  and  a  menace 
to  this  community. 

In  looking  over  the  field  for  a  site  for  the  proper  isolation  of  these  afflicted  out- 
casts, the  essentials  were  considered  to  be: 

1.  Their  complete  separation  from  inhabited  districts. 

2.  A  location  where  pure  air,  water,  and  exercise  could  be  obtained. 

3.  Where  a  quantity  of  arable  ground  could  be  found  suitable  for  fruits,  truck 
gardening,  support  of  goats,  fowJs,  etc.,  and  thus  conduce  to  their  self-support, 
contentment,  and  happiness. 

One  of  the  small  islands  lying  off  the  coast  of  Porto  Rico  naturally  suggested 
itself,  and  after  a  preliminary  inquiry  and  inspection  the  small  uninhabited  island, 
or  cay,  of  San.  Luis  was  considered  a  good  location  for  the  purpose. 

This  island  is  situated  18°  18  north  and  59C  8  west  of  Greenwich,  just  off  the 
east  coast  of  the  island  of  Porto  Rico;  it  is  80  miles  from  San  Juan,  by  water 
about  150  miles  from  Ponce,  and  near  by  to  the  island  of  Culebra.  I  spent  a 
day,  and  accidentally,  a  night,  upon  this  island,  making  an  investigation  of  its  fit- 
ness for  the  purpose  intended,  sleeping  on  the  ground  under  a  tarpaulin  because 
the  transport  Slocum  failed  to  return  in  the  afternoon  and  pick  us  up. 

It  contains  a  total  area  of  about  400  acres,  and  between  two  steep  rises  of  over 
200  feet  there  is  a  bottom  level  of  over  45  acres  of  arable  land  covered  with  thick 
undergrowth,  and  some  fair-sized  trees. 

A  fresh-water  run  makes  down  one  of  the  rises  of  this  level,  which  could  be 
impounded  and  a  supply  of  fresh  water  secured.  There  are  beach  landings  on  the 
north  and  east  sides;  on  the  former  an  inexpensive  rough  dock  could  be  con- 
structed with  bowlders  and  stones  near  by. 

Timber  is  sufficient  for  fire  and  other  'purposes.  Wild  parrots  are  present  in 
considerable  number,  and  fish  and  turtle  are  abundant. 

Taking  altogether,  the  island  is  considered  suitable  for  the  location  of  a  leper 
colony,  where  they  could  be  properly  and  comfortably  isolated  at  less  expense 
than  at  present  site. 

At  this  time  it  is  not  considered  necessary  to  erect  buildings  of  an  expensive 
character,  but  to  house  them  in  modest  cottages,  with  due  regard  to  age  and  sex, 
and  haying  inclosed  patches  of  ground  for  cultivation. 

Bearing  in  mind  that  expensive  buildings  are  out  of  the  question  at  the  present 
time,  but  that  the  colony  can  be  maintained  upon  Luis  Pena  Island  at  no  greater 
public  charge  than  at  their  present  location,  the  following  recommendations  are 
made: 

1.  That  the  fresh- water  supply  be  exactly  determined  by  sinking  two  or  three 
driven  wells  to  ascertain  the  character  of  the  surface  water;  also  to  decide  the 
amount  of  impounding  necessary  to  collect  a  water  supply  at  different  levels  in 
the  rocky  draw,  which  could  be  piped  to  required  places  by  natural  fall. 

2.  The' water  supply  proving  sufficient,  a  rough  stone  landing  should  be  con- 
structed upon  the  east-side  beach  for  small  boats  and  lighters,  using  the  bowlders 
near  at  hand. 

3.  After  marking  all  fair-sized  trees  suitable  and  desirable  for  retention,  the  bot- 
tom tract  of  about  40  acres  should  be  slashed  and  grubbed,  from  beach  to  beach, 
thus  giving  a  clear  building  site  and  free  ventilation  from  shore  to  shore.    If  con- 
vict labor  can  be  employed  upon  this  work  the  expense  need  not  be  very  great. 


REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD   OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        341 

Finally,  it  is  estimated  that  with  the  services  of  convict  labor  the  clearing  of 
the  grounds,  erection  of  temporary  buildings,  etc.,  the  cost  of  housing  the  leper 
colony  upon  San  Luis  Island  would  be  about  §5,000. 

A.  H.  GLENNAN. 

This  report  was  adopted.  On  July  20  the  board  endeavored  to 
inspect  Punta  Salinas  with  a  view  to  ascertaining  its  desirability  for 
this  purpose.  A  landing  was  prevented  by  an  approaching  storm, 
and  a  second  opportunity  was  not  afforded.  Upon  the  formation 
of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico,  August  9,  1899,  the  leper 
colony  was  placed  under  its  control.  The  paramount  issue  before 
the  board  was  the  relief  of  hurricane  sufferers,  and  this  remained  of 
so  great  importance  throughout  its  existence  that  it  was  not  possible 
to  devote  such  time  to  the  leper  asylum  as  would  otherwise  have 
been  considered  necessary.  At  the  first  meeting,  August  10, 1899,  the 
supervision  of  the  hospital  was  delegated  to  a  committee  composed  of 
Captain  Rej7nolds  and  the  secretary.  The  hurricane  had  rendered 
the  building  uninhabitable,  and  the  committee  on  its  first  visit  of 
inspection  found  the  patients  housed  in  the  basement  of  the  jail  as 
the  only  available  shelter.  They  were  isolated  completely.  Asso- 
ciation or  communication  with  the  prisoners  was  made  impossible. 
Immediately  after  the  hurricane  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  repairs 
was  secured  from  the  board  of  public  works.  The  expenditure  of  the 
$800  required  was  not  approved  by  the  military  governor,  and  the 
board  awaited  further  action  by  higher  authority,  the  proposition  to 
convert  Cabras  Island  into  a  leper  colony  being  then  under  serious 
consideration.  The  board  was  forced  to  abandon  this  project  when 
it  was  decided  to  use  that  location  for  military  purposes. 

Of  course  the  continuance  of  the  lepers  in  the  jail  was  far  from  an 
ideal  disposition,  and  could  not  be  tolerated.  When  the  proposition 
to  use  Cabras  Island  was  n3  longer  to  be  considered,  the  following 
letter  was  addressed  to  the  governor  by  the  board : 

GOVERNOR-GENERAL  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

SanJtian,  P.  P. 

GENERAL:  I  have  the  honor  to  recommend  that  the  old  leper  hospital  be  at  once 
repaired  lor  temporary  occupancy  by  the  lepers  now  in  the  basement  of  the  jail. 
It  is  believed  important  that  no  delay  should  be  permitted  in  getting  the  lepers 
out  of  their  present  quarters. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF,  President. 

The  governor's  indorsement  on  this  communication  was: 

Orders  have  been  given  for  the  repair  of  this  building.  It  is  supposed  that  the 
repairs  should  be  completed  in  three  days. 

It  was  reported  ready  for  occupancy  November  11,  and  the  patients 
were  removed  from  the  jail  during  this  month.  This  was  considered 
purely  a  temporary  arrangement,  and  steps  were  at  once  taken  to 
establish  a  colony.  Early  in  October  the  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  leper  asylum  made  a  visit  to  Battery  Island,  Punta  Salinas,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  its  adaptability  to  the  needs  of  such  an  insti- 
tution. He  reported  that  the  location  met  all  requirements  and  rec- 
ommended the  erection  of  the  necessary  buildings  and  the  inauguration 
of  the  colony  at  the  earliest  practicable  moment.  After  several  con- 
ferences with  the  board  upon  this  report  the  following  letter  was  for- 
warded to  the  military  governor: 

OCTOBER  23,  1899. 
GOVERNOR-GENERAL,  San  Juan,  P.  If. 

SIR:  1  have  the  honor  to  report  that  Battery  Island,  off  Punta  Salinas,  has  been 
inspected  by  a  member  of  this  board  and  found  suitable  for  a  leper  colony,  and  to 


342       EEPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

. 

recommend  that  buildings,  etc.,  for  that  purpose  be  erected  thereon  at  the  earliest 
practicable  moment,  as  follows:  Four  dormitories  (each  for  30  inmates),  100  by  24 
by  13;  1  hospital,  100  by  24  by  12;  1  kitchen,  20  by  20  by  12;  1  administration  and 
storage  building,  50  by  24  by  12;  1  quarters  superintendents  and  attendants,  50  by 
24  by  12;  1  laundry,  lavatory,  and  bath,  30  by  24  by  12;  2  privies;  1  wharf,  20  by  (5; 
1  boathouse;  1  cistern,  100,000  gallons;  1  stairs,  25  by  6;  1  windmill.  » 

Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A. ,  President  of  the  Board. 

This  letter  was  referred  to  the  board  of  public  works,  which  sur- 
veyed the  island  and  submitted  plans,  specifications,  and  cost  for 
buildings.  The  drawings  and  estimates  were  completed  December 
27.  The  cost  was  estimated  as  $71,160.75.  Endeavors  were  made  to 
reduce  this  estimate,  but  without  success.  The  papers  were  referred 
to  the  board  of  charities,  who  returned  them  with  the  following 
indorsement : 

JANUARY  29, 1900. 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  adjutant-general  Department  of  Porto  Rico,  rec- 
ommending that  the  work  of  construction  be  undertaken  at  the  earliest  practica- 
ble moment.     Lepers  are  scattered  all  over  the  island. 
By  direction  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico: 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

On  January  25  the  following  letter  was  addressed  to  the  adjutant- 
general  : 

JANUARY  25,  1900. 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL  DEPARTMENT  OF  PORTO  Rico. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  again  urge  the  necessity  for  the  immediate  organization 
and  housing  of  a  leper  colony  en  Battery  Island  (Punta  Salinas).  The  reports 
received  by  this  board  from  the  various  alcaldes  indicate  that  there  are  403  lepers 
on  the  island  of  Porto  Rico. 

While  this  number  is  believed  to  be  in  excess  of  the  actual  facts,  nevertheless,  if 
there  were  only  a  single  hundred,  they  should  be  isolated  and  the  community  pro- 
tected from  this  awful  infection. 

Very  respectfully,  JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

This  was  returned  to  the  board  for  information  as  to  arrangements 
at  Battery  Island,  in  answer  to  which  the  following  indorsement  was 
forwarded : 

Respectfully  returned  to  the  adjutant-general  Department  of  Porto  Rico.     It  is 
understood  that  no  buildings  have  yet  been  constructed,  though  plans  and  specifi- 
cations were  submitted.    The  object  of  this  letter  is  to  urge  the  construction  of 
the  necessary  buildings  at  Battery  Is1  and. 
By  direction  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico: 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  President  of  Board. 

No  further  action  was  thereafter  taken  in  this  direction,  either  by 
this  board  or  by  the  military  governor,  the  latter  having  definitely 
decided  that  funds  for  the  purpose  could  not  be  assigned. 

Photographs  of  the  plans,  drawn  by  the  board  of  public  works  and 
approved  by  this  board,  are  appended. 


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REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        343 

The  following  gives  the  monthly  status  of  inmates : 


Dis- 
charged. 

Died. 

Admit- 
ted. 

Remain- 
ing. 

May                                                   

12 

U4 

0 

0 

0 

14 

Julv                          

0 

0 

0 

14 

3 

17 

23 

1 

2 

15 

October 

o 

0 

0 

15 

November                                               --•  

0 

0 

1 

16 

0 

0 

0 

16 

January                                           -  

0 

0 

0 

16 

0 

0 

2 

18 

March                                 -- 

0 

0 

0 

18 

April                                                       

31 

0 

1 

18 

1  Two  cases  remained  from  April. 

2  These  three  cases  were,  after  a  careful  examination,  declared  not  to  be  lepers. 

3  Under  observation.    Probably  not  leprosy. 


REPORT  OF  THE  CHAIRMAN  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  THE  BENE- 
FICENCIA OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  UP  TO  MAY  1,  1900. 

SAN  JUAN,  P.  R.,  July  20,  1900. 
PRESIDENT  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  Rico, 

San  Juan,  P.  R. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  benefi- 
cencia  for  the  time  that  the  institution  was  under  the  charge  of  the 
first  board  of  charities  under  American  administration,  from  August, 
1899,  until  May,  1900,  at  which  time,  in  consequence  of  the  change 
from  military  to  civil  government,  a  new  board  of  charities  was  created. 

The  beneficencia,  which  comprised  the  "  orphan  asylum,"  now 
called  "  charity  schools  "  and  the  insane  asylum  of  Porto  Rico,  was 
placed  under  the  control  of  the  board  of  charities  by  the  general  order 
of  the  military  governor  which  established  that  board.  The  orphan 
asylum  was  transferred  from  the  control  of  the  insular  board  of 
education,  and  the  insane  asylum  from  that  of  the  superior  board  of 
health. 

These  two  institutions,  having  been  under  the  same  roof  since  1844, 
were  found  divided  into  four  departments,  viz,  that  of  the  male  insane, 
that  of  the  female  insane,  that  of  the  orphan  boys,  and  that  of  the 
orphan  girls.  All  these  departments  were  separate  from  each  other; 
each  had  its  own  courtyard  for  the  use  of  its  inmates. 

The  term  "orphan  asylum"  used  in  this  connection  is  misleading. 
The  children  admitted  into  this  institution  are  not  alone  full  orphans 
and  half  orphans,  but  also  children  of  poor  parents  who  are  unable  to 
look  out  for  them. 

The  management  of  the  entire  beneficencia  was  under  the  charge 
of  one  resident  director.  The  internal  administration  was  carried  on 
by  Sisters  of  Charity,  under  contract  with  the  Spanish  Government 
of  1863,  and  the  following  other  personnel:  One  nonresident  physi- 
cian, 1  clerk,  1  practicante  or  head  nurse,  5  male  attendants  for  the 
insane  men,  1  porter,  1  steward,  laundresses,  and  servants.  In  the 
school  there  were,  on  the  boys'  side,  2  teachers  and  1  monitor;  on 
the  girls'  side  the  teaching  was  done  by  Sisters  of  Charity;  the  store- 
rooms, mess  rooms,  dormitories,  kitchen,  laundry,  dispensary,  and  the 
care  of  the  sick  and  of  the  insane  women  were  in  the  hands  of  the 
Sisters  of  Charity. 


344       EEPOET    OF    THE    BOAED    OF    CHAEITIES    OF    POETO    EICO. 

The  building,  "  The  Beneficencia,"  a  heavily  built  brick  structure, 
was  at  the  time  of  transfer  to  this  board  without  any  modern  sanitary 
arrangements;  the  woodwork  in  many  places,  especially  floors  and 
stairs,  was  rotten;  there  was  no  connection  with  the  city  water  or 
sewer;  the  latrines  everywhere  were  foul;  the  dormitories  over- 
crowded; one  wing  in  the  insane  asylum  was  in  ruins  from  the  bom- 
bardment of  the  previous  year;  at  night  large  tubs  and  urinals  were 
placed  in  the  dormitories  to  receive  the  excreta  of  the  inmates,  etc. 

It  was  evident  from  the  first  that  the  location  of  the  institutions  in 
the  city  of  San  Juan  was  most  unsuitable.  In  their  present  form  they 
represented  nothing  more  than  houses  of  detention.  The  object  of 
changes  in  the  building  therefore  limited  itself  to  improvements  in 
its  sanitary  condition  and  in  keeping  it  up  to  its  full  capacity,  in  the 
hope  of  being  able  later  to  transfer  the  inmates  to  more  suitable  mod- 
ern buildings  to  be  erected  somewhere  on  the  island,  pref  erably  in  the 
country,  near  a  large  town. 

In  the  insane  asylum  the  following  work  was  accordingly  done: 
Two  annexes  were  erected,  one  in  each  department,  to  hold  auto- 
matic self -flushing  water-closets  of  the  Mott  system;  wash  basins, 
bath  tubs,  and  shower  baths;  all  drains  from  this  annex  were  con- 
nected with  the  military  sewer.  The  rotten  floors  in  the  cells  on  the 
women's  side  were  relaid,  and  the  drains  of  these  cells  likewise  con- 
nected with  the  sewer;  the  destroyed  wing  was  rebuilt;  the  city  water 
introduced;  the  cesspools  cleaned,  emptied,  and  closed  up;  the  court 
drains  were  led  into  the  sewers;  hose  connections,  with  a  sufficient 
length  of  rubber  hose  for  the  cleaning  and  flushing  of  cells,  courts, 
and  verandas,  were  provided ;  new  stairways  have  taken  the  place  of 
the  old  and  rickety  ones ;  one  dormitory  of  the  men's  side  has  received 
new  flooring.  The  result  has  been  that  the  insane  asylum  is  without 
its  former  glaring  defects;  the  inmates  are  cleaner  and  less  crowded 
than  they  were  formerly. 

In  consequence  of  the  additional  space  gained  by  the  rebuilding  of 
the  destroyed  wing  and  by  the  utilization  of  the  former  latrines  for 
other  purposes,  it  was  made  possible  in  the  course  of  time  to  admit  all 
the  insane  of  the  island  for  whose  admission  applications  had  been 
received.  During  the  period  comprised  in  this  report  about  74  people 
were  admitted.  Some  of  those  applicants  had  been  waiting  for  many 
months  at  their  homes,  in  jails,  in  poorhouses,  etc.,  for  vacancies  in 
the  asylum.  There  they  had  been  under  most  unfavorable  condi- 
tions, often  in  close  confinement,  generally  neglected,  maltreated, 
etc.,  so  that  when  finally  admitted  they  were  sick,  covered  with  sores 
and  vermin. 

The  number  of  attendants  to  the  male  insane  was  increased  to  8, 
and  the  system  of  watches  was  carefully  regulated  on  the  male  side  by 
the  medical  superintendent  and  enforced. 

On  the  female  side  of  the  house,  which  is  more  especially  under  the 
charge  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity,  who  individually  are  controlled  and 
directed  by  the  superior  of  their  order,  a  similar  system  of  watches 
could  not  be  introduced  and  enforced  by  the  superintendent.  The 
attending  sisters  are  shifted  about  from  one  duty  to  another  by  orders 
of  their  own  superiors,  the  question  of  "  duty  "  and  "  oif  duty  "  is  not 
decided  by  the  superintendent  and  according  to  the  requirements  and 
necessities  of  the  institution,  as  is  done  on  the  other  side  of  the  house, 
but  is*  decided  by  the  sister  superior  alone.  This  condition  of  affairs 
has  led  to  a  conflict  of  authority  at  the  insane  asylum  in  consequence 
of  the  position,  which  the  board  of  charities  had  taken,  in  placing  the 


EEPOET  OF  THE  BOAED  OF  CHAEITIES  OF  POKTO  EICO.   345 

responsibility  of  the  entire  control  of  the  institution  into  the  hands  of 
the  superintendent,  its  official  head.     It  is  still  one  of  the  questions 

to  be  considered  and  to  be  settled  in  the  future. 

A 

THE   OEPHAN  ASYLUM. 

The  same  unsanitary  conditions  that  were  described  in  connection 
with  the  insane  asylum  prevailed  here.  Reforms  along  sanitary  lines 
were  urged  in  August,  1899;  however,  the  financial  distress  of  the 
island,  which  was  experienced  last  year,  prevented  action  in  that 
direction,  as  desired.  Under  the  personal  supervision  of  the  newly 
appointed  and  most  efficient  superintendent,  Dr.  Goenaga,  many 
changes  were  made  in  the  boys'  department,  which  was  in  a  worse 
condition  than  the  girls'  department,  so  that  a  better  state  prevailed 
subsequently.  The  city  water  was  introduced;  pan  closets,  on  account 
of  their  cheapness,  were  put  into  the  renovated  former  latrines;  a 
urinal,  having  flushing  arrangement,  was  added;  a  very  primitive  but 
effective  system  of  shower  baths  was  instituted;  a  water- filtering 
system  was  put  into  use ;  unnecessary  bulkheads  in  the  dormitories  were 
removed,  improving  the  air  ventilation;  the  old  practice  of  putting 
tubs  and  urinals  into  the  dormitories  over  night  for  the  reception  of 
the  excreta  of  the  children  was  stopped,  etc. 

In  the  girls'  department  no  changes  of  any  consequence  were  made. 

Early  in  this  year  both  these  institutions  were  removed  to  Santurce, 
to  separate  buildings,  which,  although  in  very  unsatisfactory  sani- 
tary condition,  offer  excellent  possibilities  for  the  future.  Both  have 
very  extensive  grounds,  allowing  of  enlargement  of  buildings. 

The  schools  of  the  Beneficencia  were  in  a  very  disorganized  condi- 
tion after  the  war.  For  over  230  boys  there  were  only  2  teachers; 
the  trade  and  art  schools  had  been  discontinued ;  the  building  which 
had  contained  the  shops  had  burned  down;  a  great  part  of  the 
machinery,  tools,  and  appliances  which  it  contained  were  either  burned 
up  or  had  been  ruined  by  the  flames.  Machinery  and  tools  which 
were  left  were  gathered,  cleaned,  and  put  into  a  storeroom  under  the 
charge  of  a  special  employee.  As  soon  as  possible  the  following  three 
departments  of  the  trade  school  were  reopened,  namely:  The  carpen- 
ter shop,  the  tailor  shop,  and  the  shoemaker  shop.  To  each  mechanic 
in  charge  of  a  shop  a  number  of  boys  were  given  for  assistance  and 
instruction.  ffiaaqmft 

It  had  been  the  intention  of  the  committee  to  divide  the  pupils  on 
the  boys'  side  into  four  classes  of  about  50  pupils  each,  to  place  each 
class  in  charge  of  one  teacher,  and,  according  to  the  attainments  of 
the  pupil,  to  give  each  class  its  special  curriculum.  Heretofore  all 
the  pupils  had  been  taught  together  in  the  same  class  room  by  one 
teacher  and  an  assistant.  In  order  to  get  the  necessary  qualified 
additional  teachers,  applicants  for  positions  were  solicited  through  the 
official  gazette.  Of  the  number  of  applicants  only  one  was  found 
qualified  and  appointed.  At  about  this  time  the  assistant  teacher 
resigned,  leaving  again  only  two  instructors  for  the  school.  The 
division  into  four  sections  was,  nevertheless,  accomplished,  the  teach- 
ers being  obliged  to  go  from  section  to  section  to  give  their  lessons. 
Later,  by  the  appointment  of  an  English-speaking  teacher,  lessons  in 
English  were  added  to  the  course  of  instruction  in  each  class.  For 
the  younger  children,  below  the  age  of  eight,  a  kindergarten  teacher 
was  engaged,  who  taught  that  class  in  the  forenoon;  the  same  teacher 


346       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

gave  instruction  in  English  to  the  other  girls  in  the  afternoon.  Nec- 
essary books  were  supplied  by  the  insular  board  of  instruction. 

On  account  of  the  difficulty  of  properly  taking  care  of  the  older 
inmates  of  the  orphan  asylum  under  the  above-mentioned  conditions, 
and  especially  as  serious  immoral  practices  among  them  had  come  to 
the  attention  of  the  superintendent,  it  was  decided  to  discharge  all 
beneficiaries  who  had  passed  the  age  of  sixteen.  The  guardians  of 
these  children  were  communicated  with  and  requested  to  take  charge 
of  their  wards.  For  a  few  of  these  children  positions  were  secured. 

In  consequence  of  this  change  it  was  possible  to  somewhat  relieve 
the  overcrowded  state  of  the  asylum.  Subsequent  vacancies  were 
primarily  filled  by  admitting  all  the  full  orphans  who  had  applied  for 
admission.  Some  applications  of  this  kind  had  been  unattended  to 
for  four  or  five  years.  At  the  time  of  the  transfer  of  the  children  to 
Santurce  all  the  new  and  old  applications  of  this  class  had  been 
attended  to. 

Since  the  transfer  to  Santurce  early  this  year,  the  direction  of  affairs 
of  the  orphans  has  been  more  in  the  hands  of  the  president  of  the 
board  than  in  those  of  the  committee. 

This  transfer  to  Santurce  has  put  us  in  position  to  use  that  part  of 
the  building  which  the  girls  had  formerly  occupied  and  is  adjacent  to 
the  insane  asylum  for  the  insane  women,  and  to  fit  up  the  entire  old 
insane  asylum  building  for  the  accommodation  of  the  men.  This 
change  had  to  be  commenced  by  day  labor,  under  the  personal  direc- 
tion of  the  superintendent,  and  will  not  be  as  perfect  as  had  been 
planned  by  the  committee.  However,  it  will  be  an  advance,  as  regards 
former  conditions.  A  number  of  the  less  violent  cases  of  the  insane 
women  have  been  transferred  to  the  new  quarters  already,  but  in  the 
absence  of  the  necessary  cells  for  the  control  of  the  violent  insane, 
the  old  quarters  can  not  yet  be  given  up  entirely. 

The  necessity  of  an  assistant  physician  for  the  insane  asylum  had 
been  recognized  by  the  board  for  some  time.  An  attempt  was  made 
some  time  ago  to  fill  this  position.  A  committee  was  appointed  by  the 
board  of  charities  to  examine  applicants  for  that  position,  as  is  done 
in  the  United  States  when  hospital  positions  are  to  be  filled.  The  con- 
ditions of  appointment  were  published,  but  no  applicants  appeared. 
The  inducements  offered  to  a  young  graduate  in  medicine,  with  the 
experience  to  be  gained  in  this  specialty,  certainly  seemed  sufficient, 
and  the  failure  to  accomplish  our  object  seemed  incomprehensible. 

The  present  director  of  the  insane  asylum  had  been  connected  with 
the  old  Beneficencia  for  a  number  of  years  as  its  medical  attendant. 
Last  year,  when  a  change  of  director  appeared  advisable,  he  was  con- 
sidered the  man  best  adapted  to  fill  that  position.  Subsequent  events 
have  justified  that  belief.  After  the  complete  separation  of  the  insane 
from  the  orphan  asylum  he  was  given  the  position  of  director  of  the 
insane  asylum. 

No  medical  records  were  formerly  kept  at  the  insane  asylum.  A 
full  set  of  report  and  record  forms  have  been  provided,  so  that  now 
registers  of  patients,  case  papers,  and  reports  to  the  board  can  be 
made  and  kept. 

The  regulations  of  the  insane  asylum  and  also  those  of  the  charity 
schools  have  been  revised,  and  if  enforced  by  able  directors  the  admin- 
istration of  these  institutions  will  be  more  systematic  and  efficient 
than  it  was  formerly. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  in  the  near  future  a  modernly  equipped  insu- 
lar insane  asjdum,  having  extensive  grounds  that  can  be  used  for  cul- 


EEPOET    OF    THE    BOAKD    OF    CHAKITIES    OF    POETO    EICO.        347 

tivation,  may  be  erected  somewhere  on  the  island,  where  the  insane 
can  be  employed  according  to  their  condition,  and  where  more  can  be 
done  for  their  cure  than  is  possible  under  existing  conditions. 
Very  respectfully, 

F.  W.  F.  WIEBER, 
Surgeon,  U.  S.  Navy,  Chairman. 


Statistics  of  inmates  of  Beneficencia  for  years  from  1844  to  1889. 


• 

1844-45.                                1845-46. 

1846-17. 

M 

.2 
'3 

1 

tf 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

| 

S 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

"3 

5 

Remaining. 

I 

.3 
1 

Admitted. 

S 

•a 
.2 
Q 

Remaining. 

Insane: 
Male 

42 
16 

8 
1 

7 
3 

27 
12 

27 
12 

10 

7 

39 
2 

5 

1 

31 
19 

5 
3 

31 
19 

5 
3 

1 
2 

...... 
9~ 

32 
20 

4 
"~60 

Female 

1 

1 

4 

6 

.... 
1 

Prisoners: 
Male 

34 
17 

.... 
~2~ 

Fftrria.lf>   .....-, 

22 

80 

3 
12 

lb~ 

19 

58 

19 

58 

Total  



58 

56 

58 

58" 

1847-48. 

1848-49. 

1849-50. 

bin 
a 

'3 

1 

32 
20 

4 

4 

1 
a 

3 

6 
6 

13 

j  Discharged. 

•8 

Q 

bo 

H 

is 

& 

38 
24 

11 
3 

| 

1 

Admitted. 

•8 

be 

1 

1 

S 

*3 
.2 
Q 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

_  |  Discharged. 

"8 
S 

bb 
a 

"a 

41 
31 

13 
2 

87 

Insane: 
Male 

38 
24 

11 
3 

3 

1 

7 
4 

~15 

i 



40 
35 

13 

40 
25 

13 

2 

6 

1 

Female 

2 

5 
1 

1 

Prisoners: 
Male      

5 
3 

~9~ 

.... 

1 
g 

.... 

Female 

Total  

8 

1 

- 

82 

82 

9 

4 

- 

60 

25 

76 

76 

1850^51. 

1851^52. 

1852-53. 

be 
B 

"3 

I 
& 

41 
31 

13 
2 

^ 
3 

1 

^3 
4 

5 
5 

3 
3 

Discharged. 

I 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

3 
1 

•8 
5 

be 
g 
[a 

55 

38 

17 
3 

113 

be 
d 

'3 
*S 
S 

& 

55 

38 

17 
3 

113 

I 

a 
3 

12 

7 

3 

22 

to  Discharged. 

fd 
.2 
Q 

1 

i 

Insane: 
Male    

46 
36 

15 
3 

46 
36 

15 
3 

10 
2 

2 

2 

63 
45 

20 
2 

130 

Female 

Prisoners: 
Male 

1 
2 

— 

Female 

1 
3 

2 

Total  

- 

87 

16 

3 

100 

100 

14 

1 

848   REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO. 


Statistics  of  inmates  of  Beneficeneia  for  years  from  1844  to  1899— Continued. 


1853-54. 

1854-55. 

1855-56. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

I 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

1 

1 

P 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

i 

<< 

5 

i 

Remaining. 

Insane: 
Male 

63 

45 

20 
2 

27 
9 

7 
4 

10 
4 

3 

5 
5 

75 

45 

24 
6 

75 
45 

24 
6 

23 

8 

11 

3 
2 

7 

3 
3 

92 

48 

28 
6 

174 

92 

48 

28 
6 

174 

23 

8 

3 

12 
1 

7 

6 

4 

97 
51 

24 

6 

~m 

Female 

Prisoners: 
Male 

FPTTlftlft 

Total         

~ir 

42 

12 

6 

34 

20 

10 

130 

47 

10 

150 

150 

1856-57. 

1857-58. 

1858-59. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

| 

6 
2 

ii 
fl 

1 
1 

100 
63 

20 
6 

Remaining. 

i 

fd 

1 

6b 

- 

'3 

si 

£ 

'3 

1 

Discharged. 

i 

p 

to 

a 

i 

a 

0) 

« 

104 

66 

22 
6 

1 

1 

P 

11 
5 

i 
p 

3 

& 

1 

1 

•< 

Insane: 
Male 

97 
51 

24 
6 

18 
16 

3 

9 
2 

7 

100 

63 

20 
6 

18 
10 

1 

4 
3 

103 
65 

21 
6 

103 
65 

21 

6 

17 
17 

4 

7 
8 

3 

9 
6 

Female  .  

Prisoners: 
Male  .,  

Female  

Total 

178 

37 

18 

8 

189 

189 

29 

16 

7 

195 

195 

38 

18 

15 

198 

1859-60. 

1860-61. 

1861-62. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

13 

a 

P 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

! 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

I 

P 

•d 
.2 
P 

Remaining. 

Insane: 
Male 

104 
66 

24 

7 

3 
5 

9 
2 

116 
66 

116 
66 

11 

4 

2 

1 

5 
2 

120 
67 

120 

67 

3 

"58" 
6 

1 
2 
15 

.... 

122 
65 
43 
6 

27 
6 

1 

270 

Female  

Boys 

Girls 

Prisoners: 
Male  

22 

6 

8 

2 

1 



28 
5 

28 
5 

8 

7 



29 
5 
1 

222 

29 
5 
1 

223 

7 
1 

9 

.... 

Female  

Paupers,  male 

1 

Total  

11 

10 

~7~ 

75 

27 

- 

198 

39 

11 

215 

215 

24 

1862-63. 

1863-64. 

1864-65. 

i 

Admitted. 

'd 

1 

a 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

i 

p 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

i 
p 

Remaining. 

Insane: 
Male    

122 
65 
43 
6 

27 
6 

9 
3 
16 
17 

1 

131 

68 
44 
16 

27 
6 

1 

"293" 

131 
68 
44 
16 

27 
6 
1 

293 

8 
9 
17 

8 

1 

4 



135 
77 
45 
16 

27 
6 
1 

135 
77 
45 
16 

27 
6 

1 

6 
5 
14 
1 

2 

4 
15 
3 

i 
i 

i 

2 

138 
77 
43 
12 

27 
6 

1 

~304 

Female 

Boys 

15 

7 

1 

:: 

14 

8 

1 

2 

Girls  

Prisoners: 
Male 

Female 

Paupers,  male 

1 

Total  '.  

~270~ 

'IT 

IJJF 



43 

~27~ 

~2~ 

24 

5 

307 

307 

26 

REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO.        349 


Statistics  of  inmates  of  Beneficencia  for  years  from  1844  to  1889 — Continued. 


". 

1865-66. 

1866-67. 

1867-£8. 

bb 

1 

6 
1 
19 

7 

i 

s 

i 

.... 

bi 

o 
W 

141 

-77 
41 
16 

27 
6 

1 

be 

.2 

"I 
i 

i 

.  7 
3 
12 

7 

1 

•S 

5 

be 

g 
'fl 
'S 

148 
80 
35 
20 

27 
6 

1 

bo 

g 

|3 

1 

1 

TS 
<J 

i 

S 

36 
12 
11 
9 

i 

3 

34 
16 

"2 

bo 

88 
62 
42 
20 

28 
6 

1 

1 

~248 

Insane: 
Male    . 

138 
77 
43 
12 

27 

2 

1 
20 
3 

141 

77 
41 
16 

27 
6 

1 

148 
80 
35 
20 

27 
6 

1 

10 
10 

18 
11 

1 

Female 

Boys 

18 
2 

.... 

Girls 

Prisoners: 
Male 

Female 

6 

Paupers: 
Male 

1 

Female 

1 

Total 

309 

304 

33 

26 

2 

309 

29 

20 

i 

317 

317 

51 

68 

52 

1868-69. 

1869-70. 

1870-71. 

bb 

.S 
a 

i 

1 

5 

•8 
5 

bii 

a 

1 

bo 
a 

i 

1 

1 

T! 
«5 

i 

p 

•d 

© 

S 

be 
tl 

1 

1 

bo 
S 

1 

-M 
1 

13 
-4 

1 

S 

•d 

0> 

S 

bii 

.9 

's 
i 

1 

Insane: 
Male     

88 
62 
42 
20 

28 
6 

30 
32 
14 
15 

1 

12 

16 
10 
3 

2 

10 
15 

1 

96 
63 
46 
32 

26 
6 

2 

4 

96 
63 
46 
32 

26 
6 

2 

4 

23 
10 
12 

8 

17 
2 

7 
10 

10 
10 
2 

92 
61 
49 
30 

26 
6 

2 

92 
61 
49 
30 

26 
6 

2 

38 
13 
18 

7 

..... 

66 
8 
13 
5 

3 

43 
13 
2 
2 

1 

21 
52 
52 
30 

22 
7 

2 
5 

191 

Female                   .    ... 

Boys 

Girls        

Prisoners: 
Male 

Female                   .  .  .. 

Paupers: 
Male 

1 
1 

1 
3 

96 

Female 

4 

4 

1 

Total            

26 

~275~ 

~95~ 

~eT 

248 

43 

275 

53 

36 

22 

270 

270 

1871-72. 

1872-73. 

1873-74. 

6i 

'3 

I 

01 

« 

1 

1 

p 

1 

P 

bo 

a 
'a 

§ 
& 

bo 
g 

|g 

•  I 
I 

»d 

S 

1 

•d 
< 

i 

•8 
S 

be 

£ 

1 
i 

bo 
a 
*3 

i 

1 
1 

fd 
<i 

I 

1 

P 

bo 
a 

is 

'S 

Insane: 
Male 

21 
52 
52 
30 

22 

23 

22 
51 
41 

26 
19 
13 
10 

12 

2 

»  3 
14 

10 
8 
.... 

2 

1 

22 

8 
47 
90 
60 

8 
4 

4 
10 

8 
47 
90 
60 

8 
4 

4 
10 

231 

14 
21 
11 
12 

2 

4 

64 

12 
17 
13 
8 

6 

1 

1 
3 

2 

2 
2 

7 

9 
51 

88 
64 

9 
51 

88 
64 

31 

20 

77 
64 

1 
13 
46 
33 

4 
2 
1 
3 

35 
56 
118 
92 

Female          

Boys 

Girls  

Prisoners: 
Male 

Female    

7 

3 

3 
9 

227 

3 

3 
9 

~227~ 

2 
5 

199 

2 

1 
3 

99 

"§" 

1 

4 

8 

314 

Paupers: 
Male 

2 
5 

5 
19 

161 

Female  

Total 

191 

231 

61 

350       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 
Statistics  of  inmates  of  Beneficencia  for  years  from  1844  to  1889 — Continued. 


1874-75. 

1875-76. 

1876-77. 

tb 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

i 

3 

Remaining. 

1 

^3 
1 

Admitted. 

eg 
3 

1 

Q 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

i 

Q 

Remaining. 

Insane: 
Male 

35 
56 
118 
92 
1 

29 
16 
25 
18 

4 
7 
31 
8 
1 

10 
2 

"2" 

50 
63 
112 
100 

50 
63 
112 
100 

28 
15 
28 
20 

19 

8 
16 
21 

15 

18 
6 
6 

44 
52 
118 
93 

44 
52 

118 
93 

43 
23 
29 
33 

21 
6 
16 
14 

15 
11 
1 
3 

51 
58 
130 
109 

Female 

Boys      .  

Girls                 .     . 

Prisoners,  female  

Paupers: 
Male  

4 
8 

2 
5 

1 

"3" 

5 
10 

5 

10 

1 
5 

2 
2 

"5" 

4 

8 

4 

8 

3 
6 

1 
1 

1 
4 

& 
9 

Female 

Total 

314 

95 

52 

17 

340 

340 

97 

68 

50 

319 

319 

137 

59 

35 

362 

1877-78. 

!878-79. 

1879-80. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

I 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

i 

3 

Q 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

1 

3 

bfl 

- 

's 

Insane: 
Male  

51 
58 
190 

109 

5 

9 

362 

29 
17 
17 
20 

1 
2 

86 

20 

7 
7 
12 

~~2~ 

Is" 

26 
13 
3 

1 

1 
Z 

46 

34 
55 
137 
116 

5 

7 

354 

34 

55 
137 
116 

5 

7 

354 

33 
17 
25 
15 

2 
3 

95 

10 

.  7 
15 
10 

1 
1 

44 

11 
6 
1 
4 

1 
23 

46 
59 
146 
117 

5 

9 

382 

46 
59 
146 
117 

5 
9 

~382~ 

54 

27 
19 
6 

..... 
"l07" 

27 
11 
11 
4 

1 

54 

17 
SJ2 
2 
2 

"i" 

IT 

59 
53 
152 
117 

4 
6 

~388 

Female 

Boys 

Girls  

Paupers: 
Male 

Female 

Total         .    . 

1880-81. 

1881-82. 

'  1882-83. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

i 
s 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

T3 

<D 

i 
3 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

i 

3 

Remaining. 

Insane: 
Male  

56 
53 
152 
117 

4 

38 
22 
29 
23 

20 
13 
20 
20 

12 
10 

1 
3 

62 
52 
160 
117 

4 

62 
52 
160 
117 

4 

52 
26 
30 
26 

29 
19 
38 
16 

27 
4 
1 
2 

55 
151 
125 

4 
3 

~396~ 

58 
55 
151 
125 

4 
3 

396 

46 

28 
20 
14 

3 
1 

~112" 

24 

18 
12 
10 

1 
1 

~m 

21 
12 

"2 

~35~ 

59 
53 
159 

127 

6 
3 

407 

Ffimq,lfi 

Boys 

Girls  

Paupers: 
Male 

Ffiirnftle 

6 

3 
29 

3 
398 

3 

398 

Total  

~888~ 

112 

73 

"liT 

102 

~34~ 

REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO.   351 

Statistics  of  inmates  of  Beneficencia  for  years  from  1845  to  1889 — Continued. 


1883-84. 

1884-85. 

1885-86. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

1 

3 

, 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

3 

•d 
Q 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

3 

I 

Remaining. 

Insane: 
Male  

59 
53 
159 
127 

6 

39 
34 

18 
16 

20 
9 
21 
19 

15 

21 
3 

2 

63 
57 
153 

122 

6 
2 

63 
57 
153 
122 

6 

2 

42 
42 
15 

29 

27 
19 
11 
19 

1 

13 

28 
1 
1 

1 

65 
52 
156 
131 

4 
2 

65 
52 
156 
131 

4 

2 

33 
36 
24 
13 

21 
12 
20 
15 

11 
16 
2 

6ft 

80 
158 
129 

4 
2 

419 

Female 

Boys 

Girls  

Paupers: 
Male  

Female           .   .... 

3 

1 

Total  

IT 

410 

410 

106 

68 

29 

407 

107 

70 

403 

403 

128 

77 

44 

1886-87. 

1887-88. 

1888-89. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

•d 
3 

Remaining. 

be 
a 

1 

i 

M 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

i 

3 

Remaining. 

Remaining. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

i 

3 

1 

Insane: 
Male    . 

66 
60 
158 
129 

4 
2 

23 
26 
11 

1 
1 

14 

7 
27 
9 

1 

20 
16 
1 
2 

1 

67 
60 
156 
129 

3 
3 

67 
60 
156 
129 

3 
3 

39 
17 
33 
23 

19 
8 
32 
17 

20 
9 
1 
3 

67 
60 
156 
132 

3 
8 

67 
60 
156 
132 

3 
3 

38 
21 
17 
16 

20 
9 
18 
10 

17 
13 

6& 
59 
155 
132 

3 
3 

Female  

Boys 

Girls  

Paupers: 
Male     . 

IT 

Total 

419 

97 

58 

40 

418 

418 

112 

76 

33 

421 

421 

92 

57 

42O 

Recapitulation  for  Benejlcencia  from  1844  to  1900. 


Class. 

Admis- 
sions. 

Dis- 
charges. 

Deaths. 

Remain- 
ing. 

Insane,  male 

1  336 

676 

582 

78 

Insane,  female    

866 

377 

431 

58 

Boys       .  . 

1  164 

1  115 

49 

Girls  

779 

694 

85 

Prisoners,  male                          . 

124 

117 

7 

Prisoners,  female 

43 

40 

3 

Paupers,  male  .. 

30 

23 

7 

Paupers,  female 

71 

41 

29 

1 

Total    

4,413 

3,083 

1,193 

137 

CONCLUSION. 

INSTITUTIONS. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  for  the  short  time  the  insu- 
lar charitable  institutions  were  under  the  direction  of  this  board, 
during  the  military  government,  the  following  was  accomplished: 

First.  The  boys  and  girls,  orphaned  and  destitute  children,  were 
transferred  from  the  building  known  as  the  Beneficencia,  which  was 
in  effect  a  prison,  and  indeed  was  originally  built  for  this  purpose,  to 
separate  and  commodious  buildings,  located  in  Santurce  and  sur- 
rounded by  ample  grounds. 


a  The  boys  and  girls  having  been  transferred  to  the  schools  in  Santurce  and  not  here  included. 


352       REPORT    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    CHARITIES    OF    PORTO    RICO. 

Second.  The  board  prepared  a  code  of  regulations  based  upon  the 
changed  conditions  of  the  government,  reorganized  the  administra- 
tion in  the  boys'  school  on  business  principles,  introduced  military 
instruction,  and  was  about  to  effect  a  complete  reorganization  in  the 
educational  departments  of  both  schools  when  the  functions  of  mili- 
tary government  ceased  by  limitation  of  law. 

Third.  It  repaired  the  insane  asylum  and  largely  increased  its 
accommodations,  so  that  now  there  is  no  waiting  list. 

Fourth.  It  prepared  new  regulations  for  the  asylum  and  instituted 
a  new  system  of  interior  economy,  placing  the  institution  upon  a 
scientific  and  business  foundation. 

Fifth.  It  submitted  plans  and  specifications  for  the  organization 
of  a  leper  colony  at  Punta  Salinas,  and  urged  the  necessity  for  the 
assembling  there,  and  complete  isolation,  of  all  lepers  in  Porto  Rico. 
In  the  meantime  it  has  cared  for  the  18  lepers  now  inadequately 
housed  and  isolated  at  Puerta  de  Tierra. 

Sixth.  It  proposed  the  organization  of  a  house  of  correction  for 
incorrigible  children,  for  which  a  part  of  the  Beneficeiicia  building 
was  to  be  used,  and  finally, 

Seventh.  It  met  the  many  situations  constantly  arising  in  the  man- 
agement of  public  charities  and  charitable  institutions. 

The  membership  of  the  first  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  was  in 
large  part  made  up  from  medical  officers  of  the  public  services,  who 
devoted  themselves  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  unfamiliar  tasks 
which  fell  to  their  lot.  The  military  government  is  especially  in- 
debted to — 

Surg.  F.  W.  F.  Wieber,  United  States  Navy,  who,  as  chairman  of 
the  committee  on  the  Beneficencia  and  lunatic  asylum,  gave  a  large 
part  of  his  time  to  this  work,  and  was  very  successful  in  his  super- 
vision of  these  important  institutions.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
executive  committee  of  the  board. 

Capt.  George  M.  Wells,  Medical  Department,  United  States  Army, 
who  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  the  leper  hospital,  and  mem- 
ber of  the  committee  on  the  Beneficencia  and  insane  asylum. 

Dr.  H.  W.  Cowper,  acting  assistant  surgeon,  who  acted  as  inspector 
for  the  board  during  the  period  of  the  removal  of  the  children  from 
the  Beneficencia,  and  their  settlement  in  the  charity  schools  at  San- 
turce. 

I  desire  to  express  my  personal  indebtedness  to  Mr.  B.  H.  Osterhoudt, 
the  present  able  secretary  of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico,  for 
his  work  under  the  old  board  in  reorganizing  the  supply  department, 
and  for  present  assistance  in  the  preparation  of  statistics;  also  to  Dr. 
Harold  W.  Cowper  for  absolutely  essential  help  in  the  arduous  work 
of  preparing  this  report. 

In  submitting  the  foregoing  report  of  the  efforts  and  accomplish- 
ments of  the  board  of  charities  of  Porto  Rico  under  the  military 
government,  I  venture  to  invite  attention  to  the  fact  that  much  of  it 
has  been  written  under  the  stress  of  orders  calling  me  to  other  lands 
and  duties.  At  best  it  is  a  plain,  unvarnished  tale,  neither  worthy  of 
the  subject  nor  of  the  noble  men  and  women  whose  work  it  relates. 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  VAN  R.  HOFF, 
Major,  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.;  Chief  Surgeon, 

Department  of  Porto  Rico,  and  former 
President  of  the  Board  of  Charities  of  Porto  Rico. 


INDEX. 


REPORT,  OF  THE   SUPERIOR  BOARD   OF   HEALTH. 

Anaemia:      ....  Page. 

Prevalence  by  municipal  districts,  1890-1899 84-97 

Total  deaths  and  percentages,  1898-99  (table) 99 

Special  report . 120 

Animals,  diseased:  Regulations . 62 

Ankchy  lostomiasis : 

By  Lieut.  Bailey  K.  Ashford,  Med.  Dept.  U.  S.  A 121 

"  Prevalence  of  parasite,"  by  Lieut.  F.  F.  Kussell,  Med.  Dept.  U.  S.  A 125 

Arecibo:  Sanitary  survey  and  photos 169 

Bacteriological  institute :  Committee  report  on,  adverse 42 

Births.     (See  Vital  statistics.).... 82,115 

Blind :  Number  and  causes 130 

Blindness:  Prevention  of,  regulations 61 

Boards  of  health,  local: 

Established 64 

Report,  San  Juan 159 

Report,  Ponce 163 

Burials,  disinterments,  etc. :  Regulations 70 

By-laws:  Of  superior  board  of  health 36 

Cemeteries:  Regulations ..<... 66 

Chemical  laboratory:  Report  of  work 136 

Chemist:  Report  of...., 136 

Climate 117 

Committees  of  superior  board: 

Temporary 14 

Permanent 21 

Conclusions . — 133 

Constitution  of  superior  board: 

Under  Spanish  rule,  1897 7 

Under  United  States,  1899 8 

Consolidated  report,  Vital  Statistics,  October,  1899,  to  April,  1900 101-114 

Contagious  and  infectious  diseases :  Regulations ._ 57 

Crypts  under  certain  churches :  Committee  report 48 

Deaths.     (See  Vital  statistics.) 83-115 

Dentistry: 

Examinations  ...  ^ ........ ^ ... ^ :....... .. 55 

Licensing .^.._..i... ............. 56 

Penalties - . 56 

Diphtheria: 

Prevalence  by  municipal  districts,  1890-1899 ...... 84-99 

Total  deaths  and  percentages,  1890-1899  ••( table ) 99 

Disbursements 9 

Diseases .^ 117 

Disinterment  of  bodies: 

Committee  report  .«•««' . ......... 

Regulations 70 

Dissection  and  autopsies :  Regulation  proposed  but  not  promulgated 81 

Duties  and  powers,  superior  board :  General  Orders  denning 12 

Dysentery: 

Prevalence  by  municipal  districts  ( tables) ,  1890-1899 84-99 

Total  deaths  and  percentages,  1890-1899  (tabulated ) 99 

Special  report  * ............. 119 

Examining  committee: 

Receipts  and  disbursements 10 

Report 135 

Executive  committee  report 41 

19709—01 23  353 


354  INDEX. 

Page. 

Fee  bill,  medical  and  surgical:  Regulation 50 

Food  and  drug  adulteration: 

Regulations 52 

Penalties 53 

Garbage  dump,  San  Juan:  Committee  report 42 

Hurricane: 

Report  on 139 

History  of,  prior 139 

Insane  asylum,  San  Juan: 

Under  superior  board  of  health 9 

Recommendations 40 

Committee  reports 35, 37 

Committee  report  on  projected  removal  to  Santurce 38 

Passes  under  control  of  board  of  charites 9 

Inspection,  house  to  house:  Proposed 73 

Leper  hospital,  San  Juan: 

Under  control  of  board 9 

Committee  report ± 39 

Committee  report  recommending  leper  station  on  San  Luis  ( Penar )  Island . .  39 

Under  board  of  charities 20 

Lepers:  Report  on 129 

Licenses  and  permits: 

Regulations  proposed  but  not  promulgated 71 

Receipts  and  disbursements 10 

Lodging  houses,  hotels,  etc. :  Regulations  proposed  but  not  promulgated 73 

Malarial  diseases:  Special  report 126 

Marriages.     (See  Vital  statistics. ) 82 

Meat  inspection:  Regulations 66 

Medicine  and  surgery: 

Subdelegation  of  committee  on , 45 

Subdelegation,  history  of 149 

License  to  practice,  regulations •_ .  55 

Penalties - 56 

Examinations.     ( See  Examining  committee. ) 135 

Examinations,  regulations 55 

Meningitis: 

Prevalence  of,  in  municipal  districts,  1890-1899 84-99 

Total  deaths  and  percentages,  1890-1899  (tabulated) 99 

Meteorological  table  for  year  1899-1900 117 

Midwife  or  trained  nurse:  Licensing 55 

Minutes  of  superior  board 12-35 

Municipal  physicians:  Regulations 65 

Nuisances:  Abatement  of 68 

Office  and  laboratory  receipts  and  disbursements 10 

Organization  superior  board  of  health 

Patent  medicines:  Regulation  of  sale 53 

Pharmacy: 

Courses  in 47 

Subdelegation  committee 55 

Subdelegation  history 154 

Regulation  of  examinations 55 

Licensing 55 

Penalties 57 

Regulations 55-57, 64 

Plumbing  regulations  proposed,  but  not  promulgated 76 

Ponce  board  of  health  report 163 

Ponce,  special  report '. 166 

Pregnant  cattle: 

Meat  as  food 43 

Restriction  of  slaughter 67 

Prostitution,  regulation  of : 

Committee  report 46 

Decree  concerning,  in  the  province  of  Habana  under  Spanish  rule  (trans- 
lation)    47 

Public  institutions:  Regulations  proposed,  but  not  promulgated 

Quarantine  station 20 


INDEX.  355 

Quarantine,  interior:  Page. 

Committee  on 21 

Regulations 57 

Committee  report  on 143 

Receipts 9 

Regulations: 

Promulgated , 52-70 

Resume  of  same 133 

Proposed 71-81 

Resume  of  same 134 

Reports,  committees 135-143 

Reports,  health  officer,  etc. :  Regulations  requiring "      58 

Respiratory  diseases,  acute 118 

San  Francisco  barracks:  Committee  report  on  proposed  use  as  jail 44 

Sanitation  in  Porto  Rico,  history  of 144 

San  Juan: 

Water  supply 49 

Board  of  health  report 159 

School  hygiene:  Regulations  proposed,  but  not  promulgated 72 

Sewerage:  Regulations  proposed,  but  not  promulgated 75 

Slaughterhouses :  Regulations  proposed,  but  not  promulgated 74 

Smallpox : 

Prevalence  in  municipalities,  1890-1899 84-99 

Total  deaths  and  percentages,  1890-1899  ( tabulated ) 99 

Special  report 117 

Statistics 83 

Tenement  houses :  Regulations  proposed,  but  not  promulgated 73 

Tetanus: 

Prevalence  by  municipal  districts,  1890-1899 84-99 

Total  deaths  and  percentages,  1890-1899  (table) 99 

.  Special  report 118 

Subdelegation  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  History 149 

Subdelegation  of  Pharmacy,  History 154 

Trades 74 

Tuberculosis: 

Prevalence  by  municipal  districts,  1890-1899 84-99 

Total  deal  hs  and  percentages,  1890-1899  ( table ) 99 

Special  report 118 

Typhoid  fever: 

Prevalence  of,  in  municipalities,  1890-1899 84-99 

Total  deaths  and  percentages,  1890-1899  ( tabulated ) 99 

Vaccination: 

Regulations „ 59,  63 

Report  on 131 

Vaccine  station: 

Established 23 

Regulations 1 23 

Receipts  and  disbursements 11 

Report 17 

Venereal  diseases:  Increase,  etc • 126 

Vital  statistics: 

Method  of  collection 82 

Death  ratios,  1890-1899 83, 115 

Prevalence  of  certain  diseases  in  each  municipality,  1890-1899 84-97 

Table  of  deaths  from  certain  diseases,  and  ratios,  1890-1899 98 

Zymotic  mortality 98 

Consolidated  reports,  by  months,  for  island 99 

Births 115 

Tables,  births,  marriages,  and  deaths,  1888-1898 115 

Water  supply,  public: 

Regulations  proposed ,  but  not  promulgated 71 

Committee  report  on 141 

Water  supply,  San  Juan :  Committee  report  on 49 

Yellow  fever: 

Isolation  regulations 59 

Prevalence  in  municipal  districts,  1890-1899 84-97 

Total  deaths  and  percentages,  1890-1899  (tabulated) 98 


INDEX. 


REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  CHARITIES  OF  PORTO  RICO  FOR  THE  PERIOD  ENDING  JUNE  30, 
1900,  EMBRACING  THE  WORK   OF  PORTO   RICO   RELIEF. 

Page. 

Accounts,  statement  of... :„• 179-195 

Ad  juntas,  relief  district  of: 

Depot  established 206 

Disbursements 182 

Report  .. 215 

™'  Administration,  outline  of 225 

Aguadilla,  relief  district  of: 

Disbursements 181 

Report 211 

Aibonito,  relief  district  of: 

Depot  established 206 

Disbursements 182 

Report 208 

Arecibo,  relief  district  of: 

Disbursements 182 

Report 215 

Arroyo,  relief  district  of: 

Depot  established 206 

Audit  of  accounts — report 196 

Bayamon,  relief  district  of,  depot  established 206 

Beneficencia  (insane  and  orphan  asylum) : 

t  Finances 179 
Statistics 347 
Reports.......... 324,325,343 

Institutional  work 319-352 

Board  of  Charities: 

Relief  work 179-315 

Administration 225 

Office  expenses,  monthly 179 

Organization 299 

Regulations  for  relief 302-311 

Of  municipalities 237 

Caguas,  relief  district  of,  depot  established 206 

Cayey,  relief  depot  of 206 

Disbursements 182 

Report 208 

Central  Relief  Committee  in  United  States 279 

Charity  schools  (see  also  Beneficencia) 319 

Monthly  expenses 179 

Statistics 337 

For  girls,  committee  report 329 

Chairman's  report 343 

Contributors 288,  291 

Conclusions 295,  351 

Deaths,  by  months,  in  each  municipality 245 

Disbursements: 

By  districts 181 

By  months 182 

From  Customs  fund 186 

357 


358  INDEX. 

Distributions:  Page. 

Food  and  clothing 192 

General  supplies 193 

Moneys  received  and  spent  on  account  of  (by  months) 182 

Economic' conditions : 

Prior  to  August  8,  1899  (date  of  hurricane) 199 

Subsequent  to  August  8,  1899 205 

General  view 206 

Estimate  of  food  required 301 

Fajardo,  relief  district  of,  depot  established 203 

Guanica,  relief  district  of,  depot  established 303 

Hospitals — their  relation  to  relief 271 

Reports  on 272 

United  States  Provisional,  at  Ponce 274 

Humacao,  relief  district  of: 

Disbursements 181 

Eeport 208,249 

Conditions  in  subdepot,  Yabucoa 208 

Hurricane : 

History  of 204 

Damage  by,  reports 207-224 

Insane  asylum  (see  also  Beneficencia) 320 

Monthly  expenses 179 

Estimate  of  expenses,  1899-1900 323 

Committee  report .'..  334 

Improvements 326 

Statistics 335-347 

Lares,  relief  district  of: 

Disbursements 181 

Keport 207 

Leper  hospital 338 

Monthly  expenses 179 

Report 339 

Manati,  relief  district  of: 

Depot  established 206 

Disbursements 181 

Report 209 

Mayaguez,  relief  district  of: 

Depot  established 206 

Disbursements 181 

Report 212,220,224 

Medical  supplies  distributed 278 

Military  posts  in  Porto  Rico  at  date  of  hurricane 206 

Orphan  asylum  (see  also  Beneficencia  and  Charity  schools) : 

Monthly  expenses 179 

Estimate  of  expenses,  1899-1900. 

Committee  reports 345 

Planters'  relief: 

Applications  (tabulated) 269 

System  of 246 

Contracts  used 252 

Unworthy  cases 254 

Results 268 

Ponce,  relief  district  of: 

Depot  established 206 

Disbursements 182 

Report 210 

Population,  statistics 188 

Relief  districts  organized 206-303 

History  of  work  in 244 

Relief  fund: 

Disbursements  by  districts 181 

Monthly  receipts  and  disbursements 182 

List  of  contributors —  291 

Disbursements  from  customs  fund 186 

Auditor's  report •  196 


INDEX.  359 

Belief  of  hurricane  sufferers:  Page. 

Organization 299 

Necessity  for  continuance 257 

Outline  of  methods 206 

Recommendation  for  discontinuance 259 

Progress 312 

Results  of  relief  work 295 

Ships. 288 

San  German,  relief  district  of: 

Depot  established 206 

Disbursements 182 

Report 214,224 

San  Juan: 

Depot  established 206 

Disbursements 182 

Sisters  of  Charity 357 

Special  mention 297 

Supplies: 

Received  by  different  ships 187,  242 

Received  and  issued  (tabulated) 188 

Moneys  handled  in  connection  with  distribution  of  (by  months) 182 

Supply  depot  general,  San  Juan;  report  of  officer  in  charge 187,  239 

Vital  statistics 245 

Woman's  Aid  Society,  P.  R 289 

APPENDICES. 

Preliminary  report,  Board  of  Charities 298 

Report  of  progress,  Board  of  Charities 312 


o 


